Dealing with hot flashes
Menopause is a difficult time, both emotionally and physically. The symptoms can be tiring, frustrating and miserable, making it difficult for a woman to keep up with the active life she’s used to leading. Migraines, heart palpitations, difficulty sleeping, irritability, depression, weight gain, aches and pains and mood swings are among the common symptoms, but are by no means the only symptoms a woman may experience.
While hot flashes are not dangerous, they can be frightening when you first start to experience them. They come on unexpectedly, causing great discomfort that distracts you from whatever you’re trying to do (including sleep). Some women also experience cold flashes. It all has to do with the hypothalamus – the body’s thermostat – being unable to regulate your temperature in the face of fluctuating estrogen levels.
There are ways you can lessen the intensity of hot flashes. Hormonal replacement therapy is one option you can discuss with your doctor. But there are less invasive dietary changes you can make, too. Avoiding alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine and high amounts of sugar can reduce the number and severity of hot flashes. Drinking lots of water can help. Processed foods – loaded with simple carbs such as refined flour and sugar – are also good to avoid; these include white bread and white rice, candies, cakes and cookies.
Unless you are estrogen dominant (and again, this is something you need to consult a doctor about), you will benefit from phytoestrogens found in vegetables, fruits and legumes such as carrots, beans, and green leafy vegetables. Even if you are estrogen dominant, these are generally good foods for anyone. The phytoestrogens in soy, however, have been overrated in the media and are believed to cause a worsening of symptoms in those women who are estrogen dominant.
Regular exercise and/or yoga seems to help many women, as do acupuncture and certain herbal supplements.
Subscribe to 
