Hot Flashes and Menopause: Unraveling the Mystery of Menopause and Hot Flashes

One of the common symptoms that women experience during menopause is hot flashes. In this article we are going to look at what a hot flash is, what causes hot flashes, and what treatment is available to women suffering from hot flashes and menopause.

So what is a hot flash? As the name suggests a hot flash is where the body, particularly the face heats up suddenly, this is accompanied by a rapid heart beat and a little or profuse sweating. Some women tend to feel dizzy and breathless during a hot flash. As you can see hot flashes are an uncomfortable symptom of menopause.

What is the cause of hot flashes? The cause of hot flashes is a mystery, however there are some theories, some experts think that they occur as a result of low estrogen levels, whilst others believe hot flashes are a result of the hormonal levels fluctuating up and down, again particularly estrogen. As you can see there in no single answer to what causes hot flashes?

So what can you do to treat hot flashes? Some of the simplest things you can do to help you to cope with hot flashes during menopause are outlined below:

• Avoid drinks that contain caffeine – Some women find that caffeine triggers hot flashes and menopause symptoms. • Avoid alcohol and foods that are spicy – these trigger hot flashes in some women. • Avoid stressful situations – being stressed may trigger hot flashes in some women. • Make simple dietary changes – some health experts believe that adding soy protein to your diet may help reduce the occurrence of hot flashes, however speak to you practitioner before making any dietary changes.

Some women treat hot flashes using alternative treatments, these include acupuncture, herbs, supplements, vitamins and homeopathic remedies. Whilst there is no evidence that homeopathic remedies have any effect on hot flashes, acupuncture has been shown to be helpful in treating this symptom of menopause.

The other alternative is drugs, they can be either hormonal or non-hormonal drugs, however these drugs may have side effects. Hormonal therapy is also used, but studies suggest it may increase the risk of breast cancer. This article looked at hot flashes and menopause. There is a wealth of information on menopause in this site, feel free to explore it.