Menopause symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable for some women. Evening sweats, mood changes, vaginal drying, and sleep disruptions can affect your day-to-day life. Hot flushes can be the most distressing of these symptoms. They can happen at any time and leave you feeling embarrassed.
This article will look at natural remedies for hot flushes. Hormone Replacement Treatment (HRT), may not be for everyone or they may choose to avoid it. It is important to make sure that you are aware of other options.
Table of Contents
What Are Hot Flushes?
Hot flushes are a sensation of increasing heat, which starts in the chest or abdomen and moves up to the neck, head and upper body. This is usually followed by an increase in heart rate and sweating. It can also be accompanied by feelings of anxiety, irritability, or even anger. Some people experience flushes only as a minor inconvenience, while others can feel them intensely. The ‘night sweats,’ which occur when flushes happen during the night can be enough to make a person wake up and affect their energy throughout the day.
Hot flushes may be linked to blood flow and hormone levels in the body. There are also some triggers like alcohol, smoking and stress. To reduce them, you should try to lead a healthier lifestyle. Prevention is always better than cure. If you experience symptoms such as diarrhoea or weight loss, then it is important to consult a doctor. These can indicate a more serious problem.
For hot flushes, many women choose to use natural remedies. You may find some of these herbal remedies effective.
Relaxation Methods
Natural remedies are the best. They don’t need any medication or supplements. Relaxing the body and releasing tension will help reduce hot flushes. Relaxation can reduce both the intensity and frequency of hot flushes. The recommended techniques are easy to do by anyone. All you need is a quiet place and a little spare time.
Paced respiration is one technique that is often recommended. It’s basically controlled, slow and deep breathing. You only need a comfortable chair to do this: Sit back and relax in a relaxed position, then breathe through your nose as you count four in your mind. Hold your breath for one second, then release it while counting to four. This slow breathing, done twice daily for 15 minutes, is a natural way to reduce hot flushes without using any medicine. This can be extended to other similar techniques, such as yoga and meditation – mindfulness generally – in order to keep hot flushes under control.
Black Cohosh
also known as Actaea Racemosa, the black cohosh herbal is widely used as a natural treatment for PMS and menopause. In a study with 704 women who were going through menopause and taking black cohosh, 72% found it beneficial. Furthermore, 49% of women experienced complete relief while 37.8% saw significant improvements. In a second study, 93% of 629 women experienced improvements in their hot flushes and irritability. Black cohosh is also known for its excellent safety profile and has few side effects when used according to the recommended guidelines.
Red Clover
Trifolium Pratense is one of the richest plants in isoflavones, which are water-soluble chemicals that mimic oestrogen. These chemicals are thought to ‘soften’ the impact of menopause, by replacing some of the lost oestrogen.
In a Danish study of three months, supplements of red clover decreased the frequency of hot flashes by an estimated one-third and made the flushes that they experienced less intense. These findings also revealed a decrease in the rate of loss of bone mass, which is common during menopause.
Soya Isoflavones
Soya beans contain high levels of isoflavones. According to some reports, only 10 to 20 percent of Asian women experience hot flushes compared to 70 to 80 percent of women in North America and Western Europe. This is due to a diet high in soy. In a review of 19 studies, involving 1,200 women in total, soya isoflavones were found to reduce the severity and frequency of hot flushes. It was found that 54mg of Soya Isoflavones over a period of six months were needed to reduce hot flushes by 20% and severity by 26%.
Liquorice Extract
Liquorice’s benefits are not limited to satisfying a sweet craving, but they may also reduce hot flushes for menopausal woman. Experts believe the chemicals in liquorice mimics the effects of the female hormone, oestrogen. Levels of this hormone usually drop during menopause, triggering hot flashes, vaginal drying and mood swings. According to a study, consuming a daily dose of liquorice can reduce hot flashes by up to 80%. It may also improve sleep by reducing night sweats.
Stop smoking
It is always a great opportunity to phase out the vice and stop smoking. On the off chance that you haven’t had the option to do as such, progressing to menopause might give you a motivating force. It is hazy why hot blazes are more regrettable assuming that you smoke. Be that as it may, it could bring down your estrogen levels, which might raise your possibilities of hot glimmers. In the event that you are battling with hot blazes and you smoke, take a stab at setting a quit date. Among the many advantages of stopping, it might simply assist you with chilling, as well.
Cool it down
Even slight increases expansions in your center internal heat level can set off hot blazes. Lower your room temperature by turning down the indoor regulator, switching on the climate control system, introducing a fan, buying a cooling gel cushion to lie on, or opening a window.
On the off chance that the temperature of the room is beyond your control, dress in layers. At the point when you begin to feel your internal heat level ascent, you can eliminate a layer or two to chill your body off. Wear cotton whenever the situation allows, as different textures, like spandex, nylon, and rayon, will more often than not trap body heat.
The Conclusion
Some people don’t have the option of seeking medical help for hot flushes. This can be due to a variety of reasons. Menopause is difficult enough without the interruption of hot flushes, so it’s important to find ways to ease this process, particularly those that have very few side effects. There are supplements and methods that offer relief from hot flushes.
Please consult your doctor if these supplements are interfering with any medications you take. Please remember to seek medical attention should your symptoms persist, especially if they include diarrhoea and weight loss.
