Hot Flushes- What are Your Options?

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Hot Flushes - What are the options?

JoAnn Guest

Aug 04, 2004 20:49 PDT

 

http://www.weightcontroldoctor.com/healthtopics/a-z/hotflushes.asp

 

Hot flushes are the single most common symptom associated with

menopause. They consist of a sudden sensation of heat which rises

usually from the chest up over the neck and face. The face may

actually

become quite red and sweaty. They last from a few seconds to several

minutes and may occur just a few times a year or fifteen to twenty

times a day! You may find yourself feeling hot and flustered while

those around you are cool, calm and collected as they complain when

you open windows and turn off heaters. The flushes can occur at

night as well, but you may only be aware of them after waking

drenched with perspiration.

 

What causes them?

 

Hot flushes are due to a rapid dilatation of blood vessels on the

surface of the skin, which results from the fact that the body's

thermostat, situated in the area of the brain known as the

'hypothalamus', does not function at all well without the presence

of estrogen.

The lack of estrogen is of course the hallmark of menopause.

 

Nearly 80 percent of menopausal women are troubled with hot flushes

and in 70 percent of this group the flushes will last, on average,

for five years. They vary in severity between different women and

may be associated with heart palpitations, dizziness and strange

crawling or itching sensations under the skin.

 

Books

" HRT The Real Truth - balance your hormone naturally and swing from

the chandeliers! " This is Dr Cabot's new book which covers all

aspects of natural hormone replacement.

 

Treatment & General Recommendations

A simple treatment at the time of a hot flush is to apply cold water

compresses to the face. It is wise to avoid foods and situations

that will make you hot such as caffeine ( coffee,decaf and

caffeinated sodas) alcohol, cigarette smoking, big meals, emotional

exertion, electric blankets and sitting in direct sunlight. Wear

cotton clothing if possible, which allows your skin to breathe.

 

Also see chapter 19 " Relief of the symptoms of menopause " in the

book " HRT - The Real Truth "

 

Diet

Numerous plants contain natural estrogenic substances which, though

weak in potency and only present in small amounts, are capable of

exerting a mild estrogenic effect when eaten regularly.

 

These foods include - cabbage, carrots, green beans, peas, pumpkin,

organic potato, alfalfa, parsley, olives, extra virgin olive oil,

garlic, beetroot, rice, oats, split peas, chick peas, organic soya

bean, soya sprouts, kidney beans, lima beans, barley, rye, apples,

cherries, plums, rhubarb, sesame seeds, linseeds, sunflower seeds,

wheat and baker's yeast.

 

Drink two liters of water daily.

 

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FROM: Altern Med Rev 2003 (Aug); 8 (3): 284–302 ~ FULL TEXT

Philp HA

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Hot flashes are a common experience for menopausal women, with an

85-percent incidence in the West. With the increased knowledge of

side effects attributable to conventional treatment options, more

women are exploring natural alternatives.

 

Although more definitive research is necessary, several natural

therapies show promise in treating hot flashes without the risks

associated with conventional therapies.

Non-gmo Soy and other phytoestrogens, black cohosh, evening primrose

oil, vitamin E, the bioflavonoid " hesperidin " with vitamin C,

ferulic acid, acupuncture treatment, and regular aerobic exercise

have been shown effective in treating hot flashes in menopausal

women.

 

Medical Abstract Title:

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=2256

 

---

 

Medical Abstract Title:

 

Black Cohosh: Efficacy, Safety, and Use in Clinical and Preclinical

Applications

 

Author:

McKenna DJ, Jones K, Humphrey S, Hughes K

 

Source:

Altern Ther Health Med. 2001;7(3):93-100.

 

Abstract:

Actaea racemosa L (formerly Cimicifuga racemosa [L]

 

Nutt)(Ranunculaceae), commonly known as black cohosh, is an herb

native

to Eastern North America. Black cohosh has a history of traditional

use among Native Americans for the treatment of a variety of

disorders,

including various conditions unique to women such as amenorrhea and

menopause.

 

Contemporary uses of black cohosh are primarily geared toward the

treatment of symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, and

menopausal anxiety and depression.

Extracts also have been shown to be useful for younger women

suffering hormonal deficits following ovariectomy or hysterectomy,

as well as for juvenile menstrual disorders.

 

A number of clinical studies using *Remifemin*, a standardized

extract, have demonstrated efficacy for the alleviation of

menopausal

complaints. The safety profile of black cohosh is positive, with low

toxicity, few and mild side effects, and good tolerability.

 

In European

phytotherapy, " Remifemin " is commonly prescribed as an effective

alternative to hormone replacement therapy for menopause.

 

http://www.enzy.com/abstracts/display.asp?id=2676

 

---

 

'Vasomotor Symptom' Relief in Postmenopausal Women: A

Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

 

Author:

Upmalis DH, Lobo R, Bradley L, Warren M, Cone FL, Lamia CA

 

Source:

Menopause 2000;7:236-242.

 

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of an oral soy

isoflavone extract for relief of menopausal hot flushes.

 

DESIGN: This was a double-blind, randomized, parallel group,

outpatient, multicenter (15 sites) study. A total of 177

postmenopausal

women (mean age = 55 years) who were experiencing five or more hot

flushes per day were randomized to receive either soy isoflavone

extract (total of 50 mg genistin and daidzin per day) or placebo.

 

Physical examinations and endometrial and biochemical evaluations

were

performed upon admission and completion. Body weight, symptoms, and

safety were evaluated at all visits.

 

 

RESULTS: Relief of vasomotor symptoms was observed in both groups.

Decreases in the incidence and severity of hot flushes occurred as

soon as 2 weeks in the soy group, whereas the placebo group

experienced no relief for the first 4 weeks. Differences between

evaluable subjects in both groups were statistically significant

over 6 weeks (p = 0.03).

Over 12 weeks, between-group differences approached significance (p

= 0.08). Endometrial thickness evaluated by ultrasound,

lipoproteins, bone markers, sex hormone-binding globulin and

follicle-stimulating

hormone, and vaginal cytology did not change in either group.

 

 

CONCLUSIONS: Soy isoflavone extract was effective in reducing

frequency

and severity of flushes and did not stimulate the endometrium. Soy

isoflavone extracts provide an attractive addition to the choices

available for relief of hot flushes.