Dealing With Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are nothing new for many menopausal women, but that doesn’t mean they are easy to deal with. In fact, in some cases, they are downright uncomfortable and when you add the outdoor summer heat or mid-winter indoor heat into the mix you might just want to curl up in front of the air conditioner or bathe in a tub of ice.

Many middle-aged women will experience hot flashes as a part of menopause, but they could begin even earlier – sometimes up to five years before menopause “officially” occurs. These hot flashes could last for up to five years after menopause which means the ladies reading this article could be dealing with this for close to a decade!

Some medical professionals have stated that “expectations of hot flashes” can lead to women being upset about the condition. Being told that they might “last a few years” but actually last for a decade can lead to frustration.

Is there anything women can do to prevent them or lessen the discomfort?

• There are no permanent fixes, even if you opt for estrogen replacement.
• Talk to your doctor to see if there is anything he can prescribe to help you sleep at night. This is especially important if you suffer hot flashes aka night sweats that keep you tossing and turning.
• Placing cool compresses on the back of your neck and the insides of your wrists might help diminish a hot flash’s duration.
• There are many “anecdotal” treatments some of which include the use of essential oils. Ask your doctor if he recommends these and what you should look for in essential oils.
• Wear loose fitting clothing. Try to stay in air conditioned places and know that they will pass even though they are uncomfortable while you’re in the midst of them.

Talk with friends and family to see what they’ve tried to make the hot flash season easier to get through.