While hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause, a small minority of women will continue to experience hot flashes after menopause has ended.
Hot flashes, often associated with changes in circulation, can occur at any time of the day and are characterized by feelings of warmth that tend to be centralized through the face, neck and chest. Though this has no proven link with lifestyle choices, many women have experienced relief from hot flashes after menopause through certain treatments, both medical and non-medical.
One of the most commonly used medical treatments for hot flashes after menopause is called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
This treatment replenishes the supply of estrogen in the body and has been proven to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes in many women. However, the medical risks associated with HRT can be significant, so potential patients should consult their medical history and their doctor before proceeding.
There are several medications thought to bring relief. Effexor, which is an antidepressant used to treat breast cancer, has been found to reduce hot flashes in patients and may provide an effective alternative to HRT, which can be quite risky. Gabapentin, a drug for migraine headaches, has been thought to have some effect as well. However, only anecdotal evidence is available to support the effectiveness of this drug.
One natural treatment for hot flashes is simple exercise, 30 minutes of which per day can help to provide relief. The exercise need not be rigorous: even walking or gentle swimming can help to improve circulation. Another natural treatment is soy, which should be consumed as part of the foods that naturally contain it and not as a supplement. Foods with soy include tofu, soy milk, soy beans and miso. Natural progesterone is also available as an over-the-counter cream or capsule as well as in prescription form and has links with relief from hot flashes. Another natural treatment alternative is the herb black cohosh for hot flashes.
Hot flashes can also be brought on by factors unrelated to menopause. Spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol and even hot weather can all be factors. So it is important to be aware of the reactions the body has to certain triggers. If it is indeed the weather, wear breathable cotton and light-colored clothes to keep cool when venturing outdoors. The above reasons are why hot flashes in young women sometimes happen.
Finally, for those women who are post-menopausal, hot flashes after menopause are thought to occur more regularly and more severely in the first five to nine years after menopause ends. Thus, women who are well past their menses may see a natural reduction in hot flashes after menopause with the passage of time.
When suffering from hot flashes after menopause, it is important to be aware of the lifestyle choices one makes, as hot flashes may or may not actually be related to menopause and serious treatments should only be undertaken if hormones are a definite factor.