Undoubtedly, hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms in a woman’s transition to menopause. It is a sudden wave of heat that is usually located, first, at chest height, reaching the neck, armpits and even the face.
This symptom is not suffered by all women who have reached the menopausal stage: they can also suffer from it years before said transition occurs. These sudden waves of heat happen because the production of estrogen decreases in the woman’s body. This has a direct effect on the hypothalamus, which is responsible for appetite, sleep, sex hormones, and indeed body temperature.
In addition, this type of hot flashes may not even bother the person who suffers them, since their intensity can vary from one woman to another. If they are very unpleasant, it is best to go to a specialist to examine it and thus decide what is the best thing to do to lessen its effect. However, if they only cause slight discomfort, we can use some natural remedies to try to reduce them.
If the hot flashes occur at night, which is very annoying, as it can cause insomnia, it is appropriate to keep the room a little cooler than usual and drink a glass of cold water in small sips, being careful not to irritate your throat. Even if it’s getting late, you could place a standing fan in front of your bed.
Instead, if they happen throughout the day, a practical tip may be to dress in layers, so if any bother you, you can easily get rid of them. Also, avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and consider it appropriate to carry a small fan with you to relieve hot flashes.
As for physical exercise, yoga and meditation can help in states of stress caused by menopausal hot flashes. Consider going to a gym to stay in shape and practice relaxed breathing, especially when you get hot flashes and feel more nervous than usual.
Of course, daily hydration is essential: two liters of water a day does not hurt, the other way around. Always take a small bottle with you and refill it whenever possible. A hydrated body will be able to better cope with hot flashes due to menopause.
In short, hot flashes are very unpleasant symptoms that, on occasions, will require a specialist to keep an eye on them and rule out that they are related to other pathologies. If in doubt, always consult your GP.