Five Remedies for Hot Flashes

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

Changing hormones have shown up and you know this because you are feeling hot, hot, hot. But not the good kind of hot. The sweaty, annoying kind.

If you suffer from these, you’ll be happy to know I listed below five remedies for hot flashes. First, let’s dive into what we know about these quite bothersome events.

What Exactly are Hot Flashes

A hot flash is the sudden feeling of warmth in the upper body, mostly over the face, neck, and chest. It’s like someone turns on the furnace within your body as a cruel joke. They come on fast (speaking from experience) and riding shotgun is feeling annoyed.

They are the number one complaint with changing hormones I hear from women I work with. About 75-80% of all women have these sudden, quick, periodic elevations in their body temperature during menopause.

I can attest to this as someone who went through early menopause almost 15 years ago. If I remember correctly, there were hardly any solutions to help with this very uncomfortable feeling!

If you are near a freezer or a door that will lead you to cold weather, you can stop the hot flash from escalating by moving in that direction. Go quickly, but try not to break a sweat!

What Causes Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes are caused when your ovaries begin to work less effectively, and the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone declines over time. This is inevitable in your 30s, 40s, or 50s as you enter peri-menopause and eventually menopause, with no period for one full year.

Decreased estrogen levels cause your body’s thermostat (hypothalamus) to become more sensitive to even slight changes in your body temperature. If the hypothalamus senses your body is too warm, it starts a chain of events to cool you down, hence the hot flash.

What are the Symptoms of Hot Flashes?

Unfortunately, you can be anywhere when a hot flash strikes. Even presenting at an important work event. Unfortunately, the added stress of the presentation can exacerbate the hot flashes if you feel your anxiety kick in.

When a hot flash comes on, you may experience:

• Sudden warmth spreading through your chest, neck, and body 
• Flushed appearance where you end up with red, blotchy skin
• Increased heartbeat
• Feeling anxious
• Chilled feeling as the hot flash ends

Five Remedies for Hot Flashes

Stopping a hot flash is not easy but you can try one or more of these five remedies for hot flashes to not completely take over:

• Embr Wave 2 Thermal Wristband for Hot Flashes was invented as an on-demand hot flash relief. At the touch of a button, get precisely calibrated cooling or warming sensation to help you feel relief and have more control over your hot flashes. This wristband is pretty but pricey. It costs $299 for the rose gold model. You can submit a claim if you have a work health spending account (HSA) as a tax advantage. Don’t forget to charge this device and wear it at all times because hot flashes can strike anywhere.
• Wear loose layered clothing such as a sweater with a sleeveless top underneath to help you regulate your temperature quickly. Take layers off as you become warm and put them back on when the hot flash passes.
• Put a cool cloth on your neck or wrist just as you start to feel a hot flash coming on. Of course, you have to be prepared and have this nearby to get instant relief. This solution can be hard to find in some settings but the cheaper version of relief.
• Talk to your doctor about prescription medications that can offer relief from hot flashes — antidepressants Brisdelle, Effexor XR, Paxil, Celexa, or Lexapro. Other medications that may offer relief are Veozah, Catapres, Ditropan XL, Lyrica, or Neurontin. There are side effects to these medications. But they are an option if you are unable to take hormone replacement therapy to relieve hot flashes.
• Estrogen replacement therapy is another option to give you back the estrogen loss that is causing your body’s cooling system to feel like it’s malfunctioning. Discuss with your doctor running tests to be sure there are no underlying health issues before starting any new medications to relieve hot flashes.

Reach out to me to talk about how I can further help you in your journey through midlife and changing hormones!