If you’re in menopause and have started suffering from night sweats and hot flashes, you’re probably wondering if you’ll ever again get a good night’s sleep.

You’re not alone. One of the biggest problems caused by night sweats and hot flashes is insomnia and other sleep disturbances. For me, night sweats were the first indication that menopause was near. I had no problem falling asleep. But once I did I found my nightly sleep pattern a dance of throwing off the covers because I was too hot. Then I would wake up later because I was too cold, so I’d pull up the covers again, only to soon be reawakened as I got too hot. All night long I’d be throwing off the covers, then pulling them back up again. It’s no wonder I felt tired all the time.

But the problem doesn’t stop there. If you never get a good night’s sleep, it is almost certain that you’ll also start suffering from depression and other sleep-related problems. Because you are always tired, your daily activities also suffer. Relief from night sweats and hot flashes suddenly becomes a major priority in your life.

Because of the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, many women elect to use natural rememdies to relieve night sweats and hot flashes. For some, just avoiding certain triggers, such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and smoking, will provide welcome relief. An increase in daily exercise can also improve symptoms.

There are many natural approaches that can reduce night sweats and hot flash severity. Soy products are one treatment that women have been using for years. It is well known that women in eastern cultures who include more soy products in their diet rarely have hot flashes. However, if you have thyroid problems, you should be careful. It has recently come to light that overuse of soy can impair thyroid function.

Acupuncture is another possibility. Recent studies have shown that acupuncture can be an effective alternative for night sweats and hot flash reduction. While research is still in the early stages, it is certainly a step in the right direction. Acupuncture has none of the concerns of either hormone replacement therapy or other drug-related treatments that can cause other problems.

Black cohosh is an herbal treatment for hot flashes and night sweats that works well for many women. And it is readily available in most health food stores. Progesterone cream and Vitamin E are other treatments that can help.

In the final analysis, improving the severity and frequency of night sweats and hot flash symptoms requires a combination of these strategies. First, start making changes in your lifestyle and diet. Quit smoking. Cut out caffeine and spicy foods. Get more daily exercise. In short, make some basic changes that you already know you should make. Then - if you are still having problems - try some of the other herbal remedies, such as Black Cohosh and Vitamin E. Keep a diary of your night sweats and hot flash symptoms so you’ll know whether these stragies are helping. And of course, always consult with your doctor about the treatment path that is right for you.

Tags: menopause, hot flashes, hot flash relief, night sweats