Recent research has discovered heretofore unsuspected dangers inherent in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT has been shown to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer, heart disease and a number of other health problems. Since HRT is no longer an option for most women, we are left with the task of finding a safe remedy that can reliably relieve the symptoms of menopause.
Hot flash remedies that are proven.
Hot flash remedies fall into two broad categories–hormonal and herbal. Recent research has discovered heretofore unsuspected dangers inherent in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT has been shown to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer, heart disease and a number of other health problems.
Since HRT is no longer an option for most women, we are left with the task of finding a safe remedy that can reliably relieve the symptoms of menopause. The most common complaint of perimenopause and menopause is hot flashes (HF’s) and sweats. These two complaints are really two sides of the same coin.
Let’s first learn about HF’s and sweats–what they feel like. Then we’ll look at a natural remedy for them that has been found to be both effective and safe.
What are hot flashes and sweats?
A hot flash (HF) is a sensation of heat followed by sweating and a sensation of chill lasting from 30 seconds to 10 minutes or more. They often cause temporary red blotches on the face, neck, chest, back and arms. They can be disorienting, followed by anxiety, nervousness and nausea.
Here is one woman’s description of one of her HF’s.
“All of a sudden I feel an intense surge of heat moving up through my body to my neck and face. My face gets red and beads of sweat form on my forehead and temples. Soon my entire body seems drenched with a cold sweat.
Often my heart races and I feel dizzy or nauseous. Different variations on this theme happen many times a day, more than 10 times a day.”
HF’s can be mild or so intense that they are disabling. They can occur a couple times a week to 10 and 20 times per day. They can last as little as 30 seconds or as long as 10 minutes or more.
The experience of HF’s can be very different from woman to woman. They are universally described as unpleasant. They are one of the most profound symptoms of menopause and are associated with a number of the other symptoms of menopause: night sweats, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia and the inability to concentrate.
HF’s often begin when periods are still regular or just starting to get irregular. They are frequently the first sign that one is approaching menopause. The intensity and frequency of hot flashes usually decreases as the body (and brain) get used to the changing levels of hormones secreted by the ovaries.
HF’s can start 2 to 5 years before menopause. They are often most intense at the onset of menopause, when the brain is adjusting to the decline in hormone secretion by the ovaries. HF’s and night sweats affect 75% of women over age 50. HF’s are generally experienced up to 5 years after menopause. 10% of women experience hot flashes for up to 10 years after menstrual periods stop.
Hot flash triggers to avoid.
Here are some common triggers for hot flashes…
Being in a hot climate or room
Drinking a hot drink
Wearing too warm clothing
Caffeine from coffee, tea, colas and chocolate
Stress
Exercise (yet being in good shape makes hot flashes less likely)
Eating a large meal or eating too quickly
Eating spicy foods
Drinking alcoholic beverages
Avoiding the triggers listed above can help to reduce the number and severity of HF’s for some women.
Remedies for hot flashes.
Other remedies include hormone replacement therapy and herbal remedies that contain phytoestrogens.
Hormone replacement therapy was the therapy of choice for relief of HF’s until evidence emerged that it significantly increases the risk of breast cancer, heart disease and a host of other conditions. Safer solutions have been sought in natural remedies such as herbs.
But herbal remedies for HF’s have not provided nearly the relief that hormone replacement therapy did. That is not until recent clinical research documented the benefits of an herbal extract from Europe called Siberian rhubarb root.
This extract, referred to as ERr 731 by researchers has been shown to match the benefits of hormone replacement therapy in the relief of hot flashes.
Hormone replacement therapy has been shown to reduce hot flashes by 75%, whereas Siberian rhubarb root extract (ERr 731) was shown to reduce hot flashes by 72%. This makes Siberian rhubarb root extract the best of all non-hormonal hot flash remedies discovered to date.
Hot Flash Remedies – Hormonal Versus Herbal
The traditional medicine approach to hot flash remedies was a one fits all approach of hormone replacement therapy or HRT. That is, until recent research has shown that HRT increases the risk of breast cancer and heart disease, plus a number of other health problems. HRT is no longer recommended for menopausal relief because of these risks. But there are natural alternatives.
Signs of Menopause – What Are the Signs That You Are Approaching Menopause?
The signs of menopause include a variety of complaints affecting many body systems. The following symptoms are all associated with the transition from child bearing to post child bearing years. Their order has no particular meaning except for hot flashes and night sweats, which is the most common complaint women voice with regard to menopause.
Comparing Hot Flashes Sweats Remedies
While black cohosh is likely the most popular natural (herbal) remedy for hot flashes and night sweats, it doesn’t provide as much relief as red clover–according to researchers. And neither of these two provide the significant relief that Siberian rhubarb root does–again according to researchers.
