Hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause and perimenopause, are typically experienced as a feeling of intense heat with sweating and rapid heartbeat, and may typically last from two to thirty minutes for each occurrence. The sensation of heat usually begins in the face or face and chest, although it may appear elsewhere such as the back of the neck, and it can spread throughout the whole body. Some women pass out if the effects are strong enough. In addition to being an internal sensation, the surface of the skin, especially on the face, becomes hot to the touch. This is the origin of the alternative term "hot flush," since the sensation of heat is often accompanied by visible reddening of the face.
Some women undergoing menopause never have hot flashes. Others have mild or infrequent flashes. The worst sufferers experience dozens of hot flashes each day. In addition, hot flashes are often more frequent and more intense during hot weather or in an overheated room, the surrounding heat apparently making the hot flashes themselves both more probable and more severe. Severe hot flashes can make it difficult to get a full night's sleep (often characterized as insomnia), which in turn can affect mood, impair concentration, and cause other physical problems.
Treatment of Hot Flashes
Basic Treatment
- Menopause: Menopause is a natural part of the aging process, but there may be some intolerable symptoms associated with this process. Women who suffer from reoccurring episodes of hot flashes may ask their doctor how to get rid of them.
- Home treatment: Home treatment for hot flashes includes exercise, trying to stay cool by wearing light layers of loose clothing, and making healthy lifestyle changes. Certain foods, beverages and lifestyle habits may bring on hot flashes including stress, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, cigarette smoke and tight clothing.
- Nonprescription treatments: Some nonprescription treatments are vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements or natural bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Meanwhile, botanicals and herbs may help relieve symptoms aggravated by hormone imbalances such as evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil.
- Hormone replacement therapy: Hormone replacement therapy may help to manage symptoms associated with menopause. Synthetic hormones may be prescribed in low doses and for short-term therapy but are generally not recommended for long-term treatment.Another alternative on how to get rid of hot flashes might include considering natural hormone therapy. One natural alternative is called bio-identical hormone replacement. This type of therapy is made from plants and is identical to human hormones. It is also available over-the-counter in a natural progesterone cream. Hormone replacement therapy is often used for women who have sudden onset menopause due to a hysterectomy.
Hot flashes in men could be a possible sign of low testosterone. Men who are castrated can also get hot flashes. Men with prostate cancer who are undergoing hormone therapy with antiandrogens—also known as androgen antagonists or chemicals that reduce testosterone to castrate levels—can have hot flashes as the most common side effect.
It's important to understand the risks involved with increases of estrogen without progesterone. Excessive estrogen can increase risks of developing cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots.
- Drugs for hot flashes: A group of anti-depressants known as Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors have been shown to be somewhat effective, but no more so than certain herbal remedies.
- Other strategies: In addition to traditional hormone replacement therapies, there are other strategies and natural supplements available to try. A recent treatment, Femarelle (DT56a), has been shown to work as a novel Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM).Femarelle works through the same mechanism as HRT through the estrogen receptors. However, the difference lies in its selective mechanism of action within the body—i.e., decreasing menopausal symptoms and increasing bone mineral density without affecting the breast and uterus. Thereby, Femarelle reduces the safety risks involved with HRT while maintaining its efficacy.
- Dietary changes: It's believed that dietary changes that include a higher consumption of phytoestrogens such as soy, red clover, black cohosh and yam may relieve hot flashes. Other dietary changes might also have a positive effect in relieving hot flashes. These include avoiding caffeine, hot drinks, chocolate, spicy or hot foods and alcohol. Certain herbs are also believed to help.
- Estrogen creams: Another alternate treatment for menopausal symptoms includes using estrogen creams. These creams may be helpful with vaginal dryness, itching, burning and overall irritation. Still, estrogen creams aren't an alternative for home treatment for hot flashes or night sweats.It's best to seek the advice of a physician before using creams containing estrogen or progesterone. Estrogen creams can produce side effects including vaginal discomfort or pain, breast pain and itching. If a physician prescribes the use of estrogen cream, be sure to communicate any side effects or symptoms during treatment.
- Nonhormonal agents: Several nonhormonal agents have shown positive results for the treatment of hot flashes. These agents have expanded the options for clinicians treating patients with a contra-indication to hormonal therapy or for those patients unwilling to take hormones. Venlafaxine results in a significant improvement in hot flashes, and studies suggest paroxetine provides a similar benefit. Clonidine and fluoxetine also improve hot flashes, although their effect may be more modest than that seen with venlafaxine.
Dietary Supplementation
By Region
- Native American supplements: On that note, red clover, sarsaparilla and black cohosh were used traditionally by Native American healers to correct hormonal imbalances. Scientific studies have shown that all three effectively reduce hot flash symptoms more than placebos. Black cohosh appears to be the most effective and research supports its safety for use in women who're at risk of breast and/or endometrial cancer.
- Traditional Chinese medicine: Dong quai is a Chinese plant sometimes referred to as “female ginseng”. It was used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat gynecological ailments, fatigue, anemia and high blood pressure. It's also a good source of vitamin B12 and has been shown to have pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and sedative effects. Notwithstanding, scientific studies have shown that it increases the growth of breast cancer cells. Thus, women who have a history of breast cancer in themselves or in their families should avoid this product.
- Traditional Mediterranean medicine: Chaste berry is cultivated in the Mediterranean. Its scientific name is Vitex agnus-castus. It is a herbal treatment of PMS and is considered to be a tonic for both the male and female reproductive systems. It's believed to support increased testosterone production in men, but it's unclear what effects it has on a woman’s metabolism. Several scientific studies have confirmed that it effectively relieves breast pain and tenderness.
By Plant
- Soy bean supplements: Soy beans, tofu, soy flour, soy milk and other soy products have been suggested as effective dietary supplementation for menopausal women. Soy isoflavones are a type of phytoestrogen or “plant” estrogen. Dietary supplements containing soy isoflavones are becoming increasingly popular. Some experts have suggested that adding soy products to the diet is probably more effective than taking a supplement, but the clinical research performed thus far indicates that supplements containing isolated soy isoflavones provide more relief than eating food containing soy.
Talk to a physician about adding soy to your diet. Eating 3 healthy meals and 2 snacks per day is important because skipping meals could cause the body to slow its metabolism and store fat. Eating healthy and exercising will help the body to rid excess pounds naturally and provide an alternative treatment for hot flashes.
- Ginger root supplements: While preliminary research suggests that ginger root may be effective for many medical conditions (including boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation), eating or taking supplements containing ginger is probably not the answer to getting rid of hot flashes. In fact, the spice could trigger hot flashes in some women and can cause mild allergic reactions, including bloating, flatulence and tightness in the throat.
- Tribulus supplements: Tribulus terrestris is an interesting plant; it seems to increase the production of the hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. It's been used as an alternative to synthetic steroids by athletes and body builders, though results of scientific research have been mixed.
Although the exact mechanism of action of these agents and treatments for improving hot flashes is unknown, further investigations of pharmacologic agents may help sort out which neurotransmitters are responsible in the pathophysiology of hot flashes to enable better selection of pharmacologic agents.
Finally, to find out how to get rid of hot flashes, seek advice from a physician before using any treatment alternatives. Some physicians may suggest using birth control pills, anti-depressants or short-term synthetic hormone therapy. Be careful when using over-the-counter or herbal remedies because some of these may cause interactions with prescription medications.
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