Hot Flash Remedies - Best Cures for Hot Flashes in Menopause

A hot flash is a sudden sensation of heat swooshing up and across your face, which may flush scarlet. At the same time, you might start to sweat, feel chilled and notice that your heart is pounding.

The cause of hot flashes (or hot flushes, as they're known in the UK), is unknown but they happen when blood vessels close to the surface of the skin dilate to cool. The body thermostat system can become disrupted during menopause because of hormonal imbalances as the oestrogen levels in your body drop, and this may be what lies behind the menopausal symptom of hot flashes.

As well as feeling horribly overheated, you might also feel as if you're suffocating or feel dizzy or nauseous during a night sweats and hot flashes. Usually a hot flash lasts for only a few minutes but can go on longer. You might have as many as 15 in a single day, but they more usually occur between 2 and 4 hours apart. Hot flashes often start in the last two years of perimenopause but they often continue, gradually weakening, well into post menopause.

Hot flash remedies: HRT

Hormone replacement therapy (the combination of progesterone and estrogen) is an effective treatment for menopause symptoms because it replaces estrogen that is lost during menopause, relieving symptoms such as hot flashes.

But - and this is a BIG but - doctors now know that HRT can cause breast cancer to develop, and this risk outweighs any benefits of the treatment. For this reason, your doctor will be very reluctant to prescribe HRT as a remedy for hot flashes, unless they are really making your life hell. Even then, you'll be monitored carefully and kept on HRT for the shortest possible time.

Hot flash remedies: drug treatments

Menopause alone does not require medical treatment, but there are drug treatments that focus on providing relief of signs and symptoms.

• Selective estrogen receptor modulators. Drugs that mimic the benefits of estrogen without the risks linked with estrogen.
• Vaginal estrogen. Relieves vaginal dryness. A small amount of estrogen is absorbed and helps to relieve dryness and discomfort.
• Low-dose antidepressants. SSRIs may decrease hot flashes during menopause. Some include Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and Zoloft.
• Clonidine. A pill or patch used for high blood pressure, but may decrease the frequency of hot flashes.
• Bisphosphonates. Nonhormonal medications used for osteoporosis but can replace estrogen in women.

Hot flash remedies: lifestyle changes

1. Regular exercise in menopause and strength training exercises such as lifting weights helps you to sleep better, have fewer aches and pains, and keep a good weight, as well as helping to reduce the menopause signs such as hot flashes.

2. Eat more healthy foods in your menopause diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

3. Eat less processed foods, bad carbohydrates and transfats.

4. Drink plenty of water. It aids in avoiding menopausal weight gain and keeps the body cool thus reducing hot flashes.

5. Keep account of your hot flashes, when they occur and how long they last. Note what you were eating, drinking and doing right before them. If you can identify the hot flash and night sweats causes you can avoid the triggers.

Hot flash: natural cures

There are complementary therapies for menopausal hot flashes, including herbal and dietary supplements, chiropractic and massage therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback and homoeopathy. Cohosh and flaxseed are also two supplements that may provide relief, although there is no evidence to show whether or not they are effective hot flash remedies.

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