The classic symptoms of menopause are hot flashes and night sweats, also known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS), which strike anywhere from 75% to 80% of women.
One of the most effective remedies for hot flashes, experts agree, is hormone therapy, although the treatment is controversial and certainly not right for all women.
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The infamous Women's Health Initiative study found it increased the risk of breast cancer and did not protect against heart disease, but scientists say short-term use is safe for non-high-risk women.
Quite naturally, more and more women are curious about the effectiveness of home remedies to help provide some hot flash relief.
What Are Hot Flashes?
Though scientists don't know the exact cause, they suspect a drop in estrogen may disrupt the body's natural thermostat, resulting in a hot flash.
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Symptoms of VMS can vary dramatically from woman to woman. A single occurrence can be a few seconds or several minutes. Some women experience merely a flushed face, while others may sweat severely and even suffer from heart palpitations and chills.
Hot flashes generally last for about 3 to 5 years, before finally tapering off.
What Are The Most Effective Natural Remedies For Hot Flashes?
A Healthy Lifestyle. Lifestyle measures can make a big difference too: Regular exercise and a healthy weight have been shown to reduce flashes, as can avoiding triggers like heat, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and smoking.
Herbal Therapy. Certain herbs and botanicals have different reputations for effectively fighting many different effects of menopause, particularly hot flashes.
Ginseng
Panax ginseng or Panax quinquefolius Research has shown that ginseng may help with some menopausal symptoms, such as mood symptoms and sleep disturbances, and with one's overall sense of well-being. However, it has not been found to be helpful for hot flashes.
Flaxseed Oil
Fatty acids, such as those found in flaxseed oil, have been thought to be effective in reducing menopausal symptoms. Flax contains plant lignans that are similar to estrogen, possibly causing estrogen levels to stabilize in menopausal women.
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Evening Primrose Oil
A general tonic for women’s reproductive health, evening primrose has a cooling effect on the skin and regulates the production of estrogen. It can act as a sleep aid due to its high gamma-linolenic acid count, and increased prostaglandin production.
Is Black Cohosh The Answer?
The most studied and recommended supplement for hot flashes is black cohosh. However, the data varies.
Many women turn to it black cohosh as a natural approach. It's used if they don't want to try other proven methods such as hormone therapy or antidepressants.
One reason that this herb may be so helpful is that it is one of many different types of phytoestrogens. These are plant compounds that act like estrogen. This may help some women get relief from menopause symptoms.
As always, it's best to seek the advice of a doctor before beginning any treatment program.
READ: HOT FLASHES EBOOK
