The most prevalent symptom of menopause and perimenopause, a hot flash is essentially a sudden increase of body temperature. The rise in body heat is concentrated in the face and upper body of a woman.
This issue plagues four out of every five menopausal women. In addition to happening to most women, it can also take place at any time. Deep sleep is no defense. Many women have reported getting their sleep disturbed by a hot flash episode that left them dripping in sweat.
While they are not dangerous by themselves, hot flashes can be very awkward. Imagine being present at an important event, like a business meeting or a wedding. During the proceedings, you suddenly feel so hot that you break into a heavy sweat. Your nice dress or outfit ends up drenched, which is embarrassing. (Related: Legumes and oily fish can delay the onset of menopause.)
Fortunately, there are a number of methods that can either reduce the intensity of a hot flash or keep it from happening too often. You can pick between certain foods, taking natural supplements, using a particular natural ointment, or changing your lifestyle.
Menopausal women are advised to increase the amount of soy in their diet for many reasons. One of the benefits is that soy food products can mitigate hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Soy can consumed in the form of whole food, tofu, protein drinks, and pure tablets. Experts advise adding 40 to 80 milligrams of soy to your daily intake.
Another option is to take natural supplements that restore the proper balance of hormones in the body. Menopause ends the production of certain important hormones, so making up for the lack of those natural chemicals can prevent its symptoms.
Flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, and vitamin E are highly recommended for women who want to avoid hot flashes. However, if you are lacking for vitamin K, you should avoid taking vitamin E to protect yourself against the chances of uterine bleeding.
You can also try home remedies made from medicinal herbs. Black cohosh or red clover are touted to have estrogen-like effects. Consume 80 milligrams of either herb each day, be it as capsules or as a herbal tea.Drinking a herbal concoction of ginseng and licorice could also relieve hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. However, like vitamin E, this could also cause uterine bleeding.
Look for natural progesterone creams made from wild yams. These can be directly applied on your skin to help raise the levels of these important hormones.
Some say menopause is the start of a new life for women. So why not consider changing your lifestyle for the better?
Reduce your weight by eating low-fat foods and exercising more often. Obesity and excess weight appear to increase the chances of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.
Quit alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes. These three things might seem pleasant for you, but alcohol and caffeine can contribute to hot flash episodes while smoking can make it feeling worse by constricting your blood vessels.
Change up your fashion sense by wearing several layers of lightweight clothing. When you feel a hot flash coming, take off the outermost layer to cool yourself off.
Women'sHealth.news can tell you more about natural remedies for hot flashes.
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