Menopause: How to relieve hot flashes?
Hello, this is Alix, pharmacist on Pharma GDD, I am presenting you with information to help you take care of your health. Today we're going to talk about menopausal hot flashes. They affect 7 out of 10 women, they are not serious, but they are uncomfortable.
Hot flashes, what is the cause? What does this trigger, and what should I do? Let's see this together.
Menopause occurs gradually between the ages of 45 and 55. This stage in a woman's life corresponds to the end of the reproductive period. It is characterized by the cessation of ovarian functions which no longer secrete hormones, estrogen and progesterone.
This transition to menopause is feared by women because it can be accompanied by more or less intense annoying symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, insomnia, fatigue and irritability. Since estrogen has a function of regulating body temperature and is no longer secreted by the ovaries, this can lead to hot flashes.
Hot flashes are manifested by a sudden and intense feeling of heat with redness. You may also experience sweating and chills. They appear instantly and can last a few minutes, or even more than half an hour. Their frequency varies from 3 to 4 times a day to every hour.
Which is then extremely hard to bear.
To get started, here are some practical tips if you are prone to hot flashes. First of all, avoid anything that creates vasodilation, i.e. alcohol, coffee, tea, spices, hot foods, sudden temperature changes such as very hot baths or when bathing. 'Sun exposure.
On the other hand, favor the wearing of natural fibers such as cotton, linen or wool, which have a great responsibility and allow heat to escape. You are advised to drink enough water, cool yourself with mists or a fan. Stress favors hot flashes, if possible, try to relax.
If you suffer from hot flashes, it is best to contact your doctor or gynecologist to determine the cause and do a hormonal assessment. The doctor may then decide to put you on hormone replacement therapy. If this is not the case, natural solutions exist.
Be careful though, some plants contain phytoestrogens, therefore hormones. They have the same contraindications as hormone-based medications. First, I will present to you some food supplements and an essential oil containing phytoestrogens, which are therefore contraindicated in the event of a personal or family history of breast cancer.
In aromatherapy, it is the essential oil of clary sage which can be taken orally. To do this, put one or two drops of this oil on a neutral support to take morning and evening for 5 days a week. In herbal medicine, soy, sage, hops, cimifuga, flaxseed and red clover are included in the composition of many food supplements.
Now let's look at food supplements and medications that do not contain hormones.
For example, you have Abufen which will act on peripheral dilation and therefore limit hot flashes. Or even Acthéane, which is composed of specific homeopathic strains like Lachesis. There are also specialties based on pollen which have shown their effectiveness in various studies such as the specialties Sérélys, Fadiamone, Léro Ménopollen and Manhaé bio.
Aromatherapy is also a solution for hot flashes. To do this, massage the lower back with a mixture of essential oils. You need to put 90 drops of Italian helichrysum, 90 drops of lemon and 30 drops of Palmarosa essential oil in a 50 ml bottle. Then, fill the bottle with calophyll oil.
You can use this mixture for 3 weeks, then stop for a week, for several months. I hope that this blog has answered your questions and that you will find a hormonal or non-hormonal solution to stop your hot flashes.
See you soon, and be well!