The hot flashes in menopause, or hot flashes that invade your body accompanied by sweating, are frequent symptoms.
When we talk about sudden mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and irritation.
Do you feel familiar with any of these symptoms?
In case you have detected one or more of them, and your period does not come, we have news for you: you are entering a new stage of your life called menopause or climacteric in its previous phase.
Enter in the menopause It doesn't have to be a negative. Since it rather indicates that we are beginning a new cycle in life, in which we already it will not be necessary to worry about the inconvenience of the period or the different tools to cope with it each month.
However, many women detect irregularities in their cycle at the same time. As well as symptoms that are beginning to appear in your body, which can be bothersome and very noticeable.
These symptoms are very diverse, but there is one par excellence. The king of all symptoms that almost 80% of women detect at some point. We talk about the so famous and feared hot flashes.
When hot flashes occur at night, women generally describe them as night sweats.
On Dra. Gómez Roig Institute we have specialists in Gynecology menopause experts to help you feel better. As well as reduce the discomfort associated with this new stage of your life.
Why do I have hot flashes?
The cessation of the period is a natural process through which all women in the world will go through, regardless of their religion, ideology or ethnicity. This stage of life will come to them, but the question most asked by them is without a doubt why? what is happening to my body?
It is important to know the origin of the cessation of the period, and for this it is necessary to begin by reviewing the fact that, throughout the fertile life of the woman, her estrogen levels They gradually decrease to such an extent that menopause occurs.
At this stage both progesterone and estrogen are greatly affected. causing a hormonal imbalance.
The hormonal imbalance resulting from such a strong decrease in these hormones is the cause of the thermoregulatory center of the body. Located in the hypothalamus, which is a gland in the brain, is affected.
This fact causes our body temperature increases abruptly and also without prior notice or apparent reasons for the woman. Giving rise to what we know as the famous hot flashes in menopause.
How long do hot flashes last in menopause?
The duration of the hot flashes in menopause is determined by many factors. Among them the race and the weight of the woman, which can interfere in her duration and intensity of heat.
Hot flashes usually begin as a sudden feeling of warmth centered in the upper chest and face that quickly becomes generalized. The feeling of heat usually lasts for two to four minutes, is often associated with profuse sweating and occasionally palpitations, and is sometimes followed by chills and a feeling of anxiety.
After several studies, an average number of involvement has been reached that represents approximately 80% of the female population.
In this study it has been found that the menopause symptoms will be present and will be a travel companion during a minimum of 7 years. Which can also last more years in some cases.
In any case, this data provided by the study is very ambiguous because every woman is different at the hormonal level and bodily. So the duration can be less than those 7 years or even much longer.
For this reason, it is not surprising that there are cases of women who barely have symptoms or who have suffered these discomfort for a period of only 6 months.
The important thing is never to fall into states of depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, at this time in our lives.
The best solution to correctly handle what happens to us is know our body and know what tools are within our reach to alleviate the discomfort of the climacteric.
We have to manage to live in a pleasant way and with a good quality of life.
What can I take for menopausal symptoms?
When the first symptoms of menopause begin to be noticed, the first thing to do is see a professional or specialist in the field, in this specific case we are talking about a gynecologist.
Hot flashes or night sweats have a negative impact on quality of life, as well as an association with adverse health indicators: greater cardiovascular risk and greater bone loss or bone turnover.
El own gynecologist will give advice and guidelines to follow, in the same way that he himself will be in charge of prescribing the necessary medications for each case based on his medical history and specific symptoms.
It is important to emphasize this point as many women decide to self-medicate following advice from other women or information they have obtained from outside sources.
Doing this is really dangerous since the body at that moment is undergoing a major change at the hormonal level.
And the last thing that should be done is introduce drugs that we don't really know how they work with our body. Being able to lead to really serious future health problems.
How to remove hot flashes naturally?
Once the usual visit to the gynecologist has been made, it is true that there are several guidelines or natural tricks to alleviate hot flashes. Next, we comment on the most famous:
Consume natural soy
Natural soy is an ingredient that has gained particular popularity in recent years, in this case it will also be of great help. Thanks to its high content of isoflavones, which act in a similar way to estrogen, the symptoms may be reduced considerably.
Remember which should be consumed in its purest state, that is, soybeans that have not been treated.
take sage
sage leaves hide behind one of the best remedies for sweating. It turns out that several studies have detected that taking sage helps greatly to reduce sweating so strong that one has during this time.
However, you have to be careful with consuming its essential oil, because if high doses are ingested it can be dangerous.
Evening primrose oil
This compound is very famous for its high content of fatty acids of the type omega-6 and gamma-linolenic, which have been shown to help improve hot flashes and their intensity. Although unfortunately not the frequency of these. This oil is taken through capsules that contain it, they are usually found in herbalists and natural product stores, although they can also be purchased in some pharmacies.
These are just three of the many natural foods that will tell us that can help us improve the hot flashes at menopause. Others like red clover, hops, valerian or even saffron will also be of great help in this fight.
Despite the fact that all this is offered on a social level and in the pharmaceutical market, scientifically speaking, herbal therapies have a efficacy that has not been fully established. They may improve sensation, but may not completely remedy them.
Other complementary therapies that have been studied with similarly inconsistent results include acupuncture, mind-body therapies, controlled breathing, weight loss, and exercise.
What is good for hot flashes?
By now you will have been able to detect that treating the hot flashes in menopause It's not any joke.
After going to the gynecologist and making small changes in the daily diet, you can see significant improvements in their intensity. However, experts recommend a series of guidelines that move away from drugs and diet changes that can be of great help.
Among these recommendations that are discussed, the simplest and easiest to do is to keep all rooms well ventilated. Which is quite logical if you think about it, it is also convenient avoid sudden changes in temperature, as well as put aside the use of several layers of clothing in winter, This could make hot flashes worse at certain times.
Other useful tips in avoiding part of its appearance is Lead a quiet life, relaxed, and avoid excessive consumption of stimulating substances such as coffee and tea. Quitting smoking is also important. Stress increases the frequency and affectation of hot flashes.
An healthy diet it also helps to have fewer hot flashes. Avoiding fried foods and foods with excesses, alcohol, tobacco, also helps.
Finally, a general recommendation to better manage hot flashes is maintain an active social and intellectual life. Although this advice may seem unproductive, the truth is that maintaining good mental health and a correct attitude, but above all a positive one in the face of these new changes that occur in our body help them to pass in a more pleasant and less noticeable way.
Ask our team
If you start with hot flashes in menopause and you are not as you would like, do not hesitate to consult our team of gynecologists and gynecologists, who will help you find a balance that allows you to have a better quality of life.
You should not settle for what may seem natural, because you can always feel better if you are well advised and accompanied.
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- About the Author
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Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona. Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Coordinator of the Sixth Course of Medicine at the University of Barcelona, UB. Director of the Dra. Gómez Roig Institute and Coordinator of Obstetric and Gynecological Processes at the Corachan Clinic in Barcelona.
Good night. I'm 17. A few days ago my left breast began to hurt and I feel swollen and feverish. I also have pain in the lower part of my abdomen and I have very little discharge like white.
Hello. In the face of chest discomfort in a single breast, it is always better to consult a specialist. Abdominal pain, together with chest pain and decreased flow, can be related to hormonal changes, which are frequent at your age, but it is better to consult it.
Good morning, I am about to turn 47 and so far this year I have only had my period in February. Only 4 days but pure stains. When I have sex with my partner, he uses a condom, but I have a lot of pain in my breasts, especially in my nipples since May 15. I have felt pangs in my belly, the last time we had intercourse was on May 07th.
Can these symptoms be associated with pre-menopause? My menstruation during 2020 was quite irregular since I had no menstruation for up to two months in a row. Awaiting your response, thank you very much in advance.