Experiencing a hot flash is an unpleasant experience, but unfortunately is both a part of life and of menopause specifically.  It will happen to all women at one time or another, but one thing to always keep in mind is that women have a number of choices that can help you find hot flash relief. 

Hot flash relief can come from making a few simple changes. The easiest are making a few changes in diet, lowering the temperature of your living space, layering your clothing, using relaxation techniques, and avoiding certain triggers that cause severe hot flashes.  In only about 10% - 15% of cases do women need to seek medication, but in women who have had breast cancer the number is significantly higher.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was once the most popular choice for hot flash relief, although in some cases it is not necessary, or not effective.  There are two female hormones that are affected, estrogen and progesterone.  Both control the female reproductive system and have a major effect on many systems throughout your body.  They play a role in building bone strength, keeping hair and skin healthy, and most importantly they can influence brain and behavior function. 

Menopause is thought to aid in the decline of hormone production, lowering estrogen and progesterone levels which may cause hot flashes.  HRT is a medication that assists in replacing those hormones in your body during menopause so that you don’t experience the symptoms that may accompany perimenopause and menopause, thus bringing hot flash relief. 

Estrogen Therapy is extremely controversial among women who have had breast cancer because of the way the estrogen can adversely affect breast cancer drugs that may be used to fight the cancer.  The therapy should only last a few months depending on the severity and is not recommended over 6 months because of the potential long term effects it may have on your body, such as heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer.  It is recommended to take the lowest dose possible if you decide to use it.  Estrogen Therapy is probably the most effective way to find hot flash relief, but as recent news stories have made very clear, it can increase your risk of breast cancer, stroke, and other problems.

Most women will find adequate hot flash relief from natural herbs, such as black cohosh or evening primrose oil. Using these natural remedies, plus the simple strategies mentioned above should greatly reduce your hot flashes without increasing your risk of other problems.
  

Tags: menopause, hot flashes, hot flash remedies, relieve hot flashes