Hot flushes
DEFINITION
Hot Flushes are the most common symptoms experienced by women
as a result of menopause. A Hot Flush is a sudden sensation of
intense heat which is usually accompanied by perspiration and
reddening of the skin.
as a result of menopause. A Hot Flush is a sudden sensation of
intense heat which is usually accompanied by perspiration and
reddening of the skin.
DESCRIPTION
Approximately one third of a woman’s life will be lived after
menopause. The identification and proper management of menopausal
symptoms are crucial to maintaining a woman’s quality of life.
Flushing and sweating episodes and symptoms of reduced vaginal tone
are the most common complaints from women during the menopause. The
exact cause of Hot Flushes remains unclear, however, it is thought
to be associated with the hormonal changes that occur during
menopause e.g., a drop in oestrogen levels.
menopause. The identification and proper management of menopausal
symptoms are crucial to maintaining a woman’s quality of life.
Flushing and sweating episodes and symptoms of reduced vaginal tone
are the most common complaints from women during the menopause. The
exact cause of Hot Flushes remains unclear, however, it is thought
to be associated with the hormonal changes that occur during
menopause e.g., a drop in oestrogen levels.
Hot Flushes occur when there is a reduction in central body
temperature causing an increase in heart rate and extra blood being
sent to the surface of the body. This blood contains heat which is
then lost through the skin in an attempt to bring the rest of the
body’s temperature down to the same level as the core body
temperature. The extra blood sent to the skin causes the sensation
of heat, flushing, perspiration and redness of the skin.
temperature causing an increase in heart rate and extra blood being
sent to the surface of the body. This blood contains heat which is
then lost through the skin in an attempt to bring the rest of the
body’s temperature down to the same level as the core body
temperature. The extra blood sent to the skin causes the sensation
of heat, flushing, perspiration and redness of the skin.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The most typical description of a hot flush is – a sudden
onset of warmth in the chest, spreading upward to involve the neck
and face. Hot flushes can last from a few seconds to several
minutes, however, the severity of the sensations vary greatly both
from time to time in the same woman and from woman to woman. Hot
Flushes can occur with dizziness, nausea, headaches, palpitations,
profuse sweating and night sweats. How often a woman experiences
Hot Flushes also varies, ranging from many times a day to once a
week or less. In some women Hot Flushes are provoked by factors
such as; hot weather, stress, eating, drinking alcohol etc.
onset of warmth in the chest, spreading upward to involve the neck
and face. Hot flushes can last from a few seconds to several
minutes, however, the severity of the sensations vary greatly both
from time to time in the same woman and from woman to woman. Hot
Flushes can occur with dizziness, nausea, headaches, palpitations,
profuse sweating and night sweats. How often a woman experiences
Hot Flushes also varies, ranging from many times a day to once a
week or less. In some women Hot Flushes are provoked by factors
such as; hot weather, stress, eating, drinking alcohol etc.
DURATION
Hot Flushes are reported to occur in 17% of healthy women over
42 years of age who are still having regular menstrual cycles. This
increases to 40% of women who are in this age group and have
irregular menstrual cycles. The majority of women (65%) who have
entered menopause for between 1 to 2 years experience Hot Flushes.
Approximately half of these women will continue to experience Hot
Flushes for between 5 to 10 years after menopause. What is
happening to the body during a hot flush is clear, however, why
some women flush after menopause and others do not is still not
understood.
42 years of age who are still having regular menstrual cycles. This
increases to 40% of women who are in this age group and have
irregular menstrual cycles. The majority of women (65%) who have
entered menopause for between 1 to 2 years experience Hot Flushes.
Approximately half of these women will continue to experience Hot
Flushes for between 5 to 10 years after menopause. What is
happening to the body during a hot flush is clear, however, why
some women flush after menopause and others do not is still not
understood.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
As with all conditions your Doctor should be consulted. Your
Doctor will diagnose and treat the condition. Ask your Doctor about
the latest advice regarding Hot Flushes. Hormone Replacement
Therapy (HRT) has been proven to help reduce the frequency and
severity of Hot Flushes. The benefits and risk factors involved
with HRT should be discussed with your Doctor before the
commencement of treatment. Some women choose alternative management
including relaxation techniques, nutritional supplementation and
lifestyle changes.
Doctor will diagnose and treat the condition. Ask your Doctor about
the latest advice regarding Hot Flushes. Hormone Replacement
Therapy (HRT) has been proven to help reduce the frequency and
severity of Hot Flushes. The benefits and risk factors involved
with HRT should be discussed with your Doctor before the
commencement of treatment. Some women choose alternative management
including relaxation techniques, nutritional supplementation and
lifestyle changes.
The findings from a recent clinical trial indicate that being
overweight (having a Body Mass Index above 25), high alcohol
intake, smoking, and high dietary fat intake, may increase the risk
of having hot flushes and the severity of the flushing. This
particularly applies to peri-menopausal women i.e those women in
the very early stages of menopause.
overweight (having a Body Mass Index above 25), high alcohol
intake, smoking, and high dietary fat intake, may increase the risk
of having hot flushes and the severity of the flushing. This
particularly applies to peri-menopausal women i.e those women in
the very early stages of menopause.
DIET HINTS
- It is a good idea to have a varied and wholesome diet
concentrating on all the fresh vegetables, especially the dark
green leafy ones. A diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables helps
to supply your body with the nutrients needed for good
health. - Cook vegetables only lightly (steam), to preserve the nutrient
content. - Dairy products are very important during menopause as these
supply good quantities of the mineral calcium which is essential
for healthy bones. Include low-fat milk, cheese and yoghurt in the
diet. - A recent study has found that foods which are oestrogenic (the
hormone which usually decreases with the onset of menopause) e.g.,
soy products such as lecithin, soy milk, soy beans, tofu etc., may
have a relieving effect on the symptoms of Menopause. Consuming
between 45 and 80gms of soy products per may help to reduce the
severity of hot flushes - Always have plenty of raw seeds and nuts available for a snack.
Pumpkin and sesame seeds are a source of L-tryptophan (an essential
amino acid) which plays a role in mood control, and can be eaten
freely. - Caffeine is thought to block the absorption of calcium and
other minerals. Instead of normal tea or coffee, drink chamomile
herbal tea. It has no caffeine and has a natural soothing action.
Sage tea may also be beneficial in reducing the severity of Hot
Flushes.
VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS
Nutritional supplements may be of use if dietary intake is
inadequate.
inadequate.
- Vitamin E may relieve some menopausal symptoms
- Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) may be an effective herb for
menopausal symptoms, particularly in relieving hot flushes and
vaginal dryness. - Tribulus and withania are androgen promoting herbs which may
help to support adrenal gland function and promote ovarian androgen
synthesis. Tribulus may provide symptomatic relief for hot flushes,
night sweats, depression and insomnia. - Magnesium may assist with improving and maintaining bone
integrity. Research demonstrates that supplemental magnesium can
increase bone density in many women and prevent bone loss in
others. - Phyto-oestrogenic herbs may be useful for improving menopausal
complications. See the topic on Phyto-oestrogens.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
- Follow the Diet Hints.
- Your Pharmacist can answer any queries you may have regarding
your prescribed medication. - It is a good idea to avoid possible triggers for Hot Flushes
such as; stress, smoking, alcohol and very hot weather. These
factors may provoke Hot Flushes in some women and not in
others. - Phyto-oestrogens may also be suggested. Phyto-oestrogens are
substances found in plants and foods which act like oestrogen in
the body by stimulating oestrogen receptors on the cell walls in
the skin, breast, uterus and vagina. Studies suggest that
phyto-oestrogens may help to reduce some of the symptoms of
menopause such as vaginal changes, Hot Flushes etc. Fermented soy
beans, known as tempeh, provides a source of phyto-oestrogens which
is easily absorbed by the body. Your Pharmacy stocks a powdered
nutritional supplement containing phyto-oestrogens. - If the diet is inadequate consider some nutritional
supplements. A multi-B may help to maintain the health of the
nervous system and minerals such as calcium and magnesium are also
needed for nervous system support and bone strength. Herbs
available from your Pharmacy which are specifically indicated to
help relieve the severity of Hot Flushes include; Dong quai, Chaste
tree (vitex) and Wild yam.
