The Dreaded Menopausal HOT FLUSHES!

Now, I must be honest, I have never suffered with these! But if anybody has asked me about anything to do with the Menopause it has been Hot Flushes! So, I have been talking to lots of friends, carried out some research and here is what I found…

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I never realised up to 80% of women get hot flushes, yes, I am in the 20% that don’t! I have lots of friends that get them so severely, it makes their life a living hell. Apparently, the good news is that you do not look as hot as you feel and apparently others around you do not really notice.

It seems that nobody really knows what causes these flushes, but it seems to be down to a few factors.

When your Oestrogen levels drop or decrease your body’s thermostat (called the Hypothalamus) becomes overly sensitive to even the slightest of changes and thinks your body is too warm and starts to cool you down quickly by having a Hot Flush.

Stress is another big factor and low levels of Serotonin could also play a part. Lots of ladies turn to Herbal Remedies and there seem to be lots of conflicting reports as to what works and what doesn’t, I think it is down to the individual and it’s always worth trying to find what works for you, because everyone is different.

“Coffee has been known to trigger hot flushes”

There are also some foods that can fight these flushes, apparently Flaxseed can dampen down the effects of falling Oestrogen levels and reduce the amount of Hot Flushes. Some say its great sprinkled over some cereal. A Mediterranean Diet can also be of massive benefit and lots of vegetables and whole grain noodles have been shown to help too.

Coffee has been known to trigger Hot Flushes due to the caffeine elevating your heart rate and causing dehydration, which in turn intensifies those feelings. Maybe try decaf Coffee and Green Tea to help with those caffeine cravings.

Sage… lots of research has suggested that Sage can reduce the frequency and severity of night sweats and Hot Flushes, I have some friends that takes Sage tablets but I’m told you can also drink  Sage Tea or use Fresh Sage in cooking. Click here to be taken to a recommended Sage supplement. 

Keeping cool, seems to be an absolute must for lots of my friends that suffer, and they often use a fan or spray some cold water from an atomiser on their face. I have even got one friend that uses a cold gel pack on the back of her neck and swears by it. Obviously not wearing tight fitting clothes, having light cotton sheets on your bed and not having a heavy duvet, all help I am told, you can also get a cooling blanket. I also have friends that say some food such as, alcohol, coffee, spicy foods, and chocolate wreak havoc with the Hot Flushes and night sweats.

Pilates and Yoga… are another good idea and I have friends that swear by these classes. Slowing down your breathing using their techniques helps to relax the muscles, slowing the heart rate down and lowering blood pressure too.

A few other ideas tried and tested by friends are…

A fresh cup of herbal tea with 2 teaspoons of Sage can calm your flushes. Cool Max bedsheets and a very cold bedroom before you get into bed can keep night sweats away. Pillows that contain cooling gel help you to relax and sleep better.

Evidence suggests Evening Primrose Oil can offer relief for a range of menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, breast pain and joint discomfort.

If you have a remedy that works for you, please let me know and comment below!

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*DISCLAIMER*This page does not provide medical advice; it is intended for informational purposes only and is based upon my opinion and experiences. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on The Executive Menopause Coach website. Always seek professional medical advice.