Estrogen & Hot Flashes

Women usually begin to experience menopause symptoms in their forties or fifties. The hormonal changes that occur during menopause can cause a variety of symptoms.

Menopausal women commonly experience mood swings, hot flashes, fatigue and insomnia.

Hot flashes occur after a woman’s body temperature suddenly rises and then slowly begins to return to its regular temperature. A woman may begin to perspire heavily and feel weak.

This can be quite uncomfortable for a woman to experience, and if a she happens to be in a public place during a hot flash, it can be an embarrassing event.

Most hot flashes last for several minutes but in severe cases, they can last for as long as an hour. When they occur during the night, they are often called night sweats.

Night sweats can cause a great deal of anxiety if they are severe enough to wake a woman up.

The hormonal imbalance caused by menopause is believed to be the primary cause of hot flashes. It is common knowledge that “Estrogen & Hot Flashes” are related. As estrogen levels drop, uncomfortable symptoms begin.

When a woman is deficient in estrogen, certain foods and environmental conditions may trigger a hot flash. To prevent overheating, menopausal women should avoid spicy or acidic foods, caffeine, processed sugar, alcohol, hot drinks, fatty foods, hot tubs and smoking cigarettes.

If hot flashes and other symptoms are causing problems for a woman, she can try a variety of different over-the-counter remedies or prescription medications to help alleviate her discomfort.

There are many natural herbal remedies available. Black cohosh, chaste berry, motherwort and licorice root may help relieve hot flash symptoms.

Black cohosh has been used for centuries to relieve both menopause symptoms and menstrual cramps. Studies show that black cohosh extract effectively relieves hot flashes and depression.

Chaste berry helps to lower estrogen levels and increase the levels of progesterone. Many menopausal women have found chaste berry to be an effective remedy for hot flashes and dizziness.

Much like chaste berry, licorice root helps to balance a woman’s hormone levels during menopause.

Motherwart is a common herbal remedy for menopause and reduces hot flashes, insomnia and anxiety. It also lowers stress levels, which can help to improve the overall health of an individual.

Some women have also found primrose oil supplements to be effective in balancing their hormones and reducing unpleasant PMS and menopause symptoms.

If over-the-counter remedies are not effective, a doctor can prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medication that many women find to be extremely effective (but often dangerous).