Going Through Menopause And Hot All The Time? Things You Can Do To Cool Down
Posted on: 2 July 2015
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Going through menopause can lead to hot flashes. When a woman has a hot flash, she feels a quick feeling of heat, sweating, and sometimes gets a flushed, red face. If you are having this problem, you should know there are things you can do to help you feel better.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be able to help you with your hot flashes. Your doctor may suggest this treatment if your body has low progesterone and estrogen hormone levels due to menopause. They can usually determine this by doing a blood test.
Low Estrogen Levels
When a woman goes through menopause, their supply of eggs decreases. When this happens, estrogen levels drop. The doctor can prescribe estrogen to stimulate your body to release more eggs.
Some signs that you are low on estrogen are vaginal dryness, insomnia, sweating at night, and thinning hair. You also may feel moody at times, and your periods may be irregular. You may also notice more fat developing in your abdominal area.
Progesterone
The main function of progesterone is to prepare a woman's womb for pregnancy. This hormone also helps protect the lining of the uterus. Once you start having irregular periods, your body may stop producing progesterone. This can disrupt the balance between progesterone and estrogen, which can lead to hot flashes and night sweats.
Once your doctor starts you on HRT, they will likely monitor your hormone levels through periodic blood tests to make sure you are receiving the right dosage.
Other Treatment for Hot Flashes
If you do not want to use HRT to take care of your hot flashes, you can try to control them naturally. Certain vitamins can help prevent hot flashes. You should talk with your doctor before taking any of these vitamins. They can tell you the proper dose, or if you should take them at all.
There are triggers that can cause a hot flash that you should avoid. For example, stress could cause your hormones to fluctuate. If you smoke, you may have an increase in hot flashes.
Do everything you can to keep yourself cool. For example, you can use a chill pillow to lay your head on while you are sleeping. Carry around a handheld fan with you that you can use if you get hot while on the go. Many of these fans have a place to put water so a cool mist sprays out when you turn them on. If you are at home and you have a bad hot flash, stick your head in the freezer for immediate relief.
For more information, contact a professional like Genemedics Health Institute.