Hot flashes are a common symptom during menopause transition and can last for many years. Hot flashes happening during nights can cause night sweats. Some women might find hot flashes interrupting their daily lives. If you experience only mild symptoms, you do not have to worry about doing anything about them. If the effects of hot flashes are bothering, these dos and don’ts can help manage them to a great extent.
Dos
• Lower the temperature of the bedroom before going to sleep
• Drink cold water before bedtime.
• Layer the bedding to make it more adjustable.
• Dress in layers to enable removing them while experiencing hot flashes.
• Carry a portable fan to cool yourself when hot flashes strikes.
• Practice mindfulness meditation and hypnotherapy.
Don’ts
• Avoid caffeine, spicy foods and alcohol
• Desist from smoking
• Do not allow putting on more weight.
Studies show that obese and overweight women might experience severe or more frequent hot flashes. So, take conscious steps to maintain a healthy weight.
Non-hormonal medications
Some health reasons might not permit resorting to hormone supplementing treatments. Some people might be worried of the potential risks of hormone therapies. So, if the lifestyle changes we discussed seem ineffective in improving the hot flashes in menopause symptoms, you can try the non-hormonal medications listed here.
Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating hot flashes. There are also some on-going studies to discover some other antidepressants to treat hot flashes in menopause.
Women using antidepressants for treating hot flashes usually take a lower dose than those that are using them for treating depression. Before trying any medication, it is important to consult your GP and take their advice on the suitable medication for you which will also help avoid any side effects.
Since the efficacy of herbs in treating hot flashes is still being studied, it is advisable to consult a doctor if you have ideas to try them. Also, understand that black cohosh, DHEA, or soy isoflavones have not been proven to be effective in treating hot flashes. Some of them even carry the risk of causing liver damage.
Take Away
If you are experiencing hot flashes in menopause, never fret because you are not alone. This is a common symptom in a lot of women undergoing menopause. Follow the dos and don’ts in this article and move step by step to manage hot flashes effectively.
