hot flushes
A hot flush or hot flash is a sudden, intense feeling of heat that often begins in your chest, neck, and face, then spreads throughout your body. Hot flushes are one of the most common symptoms of peri- and postmenopause, affecting more than 80% of menopausal women.
This natural process can create a sudden sensation of warmth, often accompanied by sweating, reddening of the skin, and a rapid heartbeat. While they might be uncomfortable or embarrassing, there are ways you can manage them.
Are Hot Flushes and
Night Sweats the Same?
Hot flushes and night sweats are related vasomotor symptoms of menopause meaning they occur due to the constriction or dilation of blood vessels. Both of these result from the body’s response to fluctuating hormone levels. A hot flush can occur during the day or night and may or may not be associated with sweating, whereas night sweats are periods of intense sweating that occur at night.
What Causes Hot Flushes?
Triggers
Depending on your lifestyle, alcohol, spicy foods, and caffeine can trigger hot flushes. Alcohol and caffeine dilate blood vessels, which may increase blood flow and trigger a hot flush. Spicy foods containing capsaicin can trigger heat receptors in your body which can also lead to vasodilation. So, maybe skip that extra-spicy curry and go for the mild option instead!
What Does a Hot Flush Feel Like?
A hot flush feels like a sudden, intense wave of heat that starts in your chest and face and quickly spreads throughout your body. Hot flush symptoms can include reddening of your skin, sudden sweating, even if the room is cool, and you may start to feel a bit dizzy or anxious.
When do Hot Flushes
Stop?
Hot flushes can vary quite a lot in how long they last and how often they’re experienced. A single hot flush can pass quickly after just 30 seconds or persist for ten minutes or more in some cases.
For many women, hot flushes can start during perimenopause. Some research has shown that hot flushes last for around seven years on average, and some women may experience them for 11 years or more and can be experienced in postmenopause.
Tips For Managing Hot Flushes
One effective strategy for managing hot flushes is to dress in layers, allowing you to adjust your clothing as needed to stay cool. Also, keep a fan handy and use it during a flush to help bring down your body temperature quickly.
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can also help regulate your body temperature, while avoiding known triggers such as alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods can reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flushes.
Treatments For Hot Flushes
Plant based supplements can offer relief from hot flushes. Promensil PERI contains Siberian rhubarb extract ERr 731® shown to have phytoestrogenic activity and effectively relieves isoflavone extract has been shown to relieve night sweats in postmenopausal women in perimenopausal women.
Promensil Menopause and Promensil Menopause Double Strength contain premium Red clover isoflavone extract has been shown to relieve hot flushes in postmenopausal women. See products containing unique red clover extract here.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
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Hot Flushes
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Hot Flushes
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Mild Anxiety