What Works for Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes occur as momentary or prolonged instances of heat felt throughout the body. Women of all ages can experience hot flashes, but they are most commonly a symptom of women currently enduring menopause. Hot flashes do not have serious or life-threatening complications, but if severe enough, they can adversely affect your quality of life. Treatment for hot flashes includes preventative measures and both traditional and alternative therapy.

Causes

• While health experts do not fully understand the exact cause behind hot flashes, they do believe that the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates the body's temperature, may play a part. The estrogen withdrawal women endure during menopause may disrupt hypothalamic function. This in turn causes the blood vessels near the surface of the skin to dilate, releasing heat.

Symptoms

• In addition to the heat felt in your upper body and face, you may also experience flushed, blotchy skin, pressure in your head, a rapid heartbeat, perspiration and chills after the hot flash recedes. Less common symptoms, according to the MayoClinic.com website, include weakness, fatigue, dizziness and faintness. Once started, hot flashes can last anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour.

Treatment

• Replacing estrogen through hormone therapy helps treat hot flashes and various other symptoms of menopause. Prescriptions for hot flashes include antidepressants, an anti-seizure drug called gabapentin, a hypertension drug called clonidine, and birth control pills for premenopausal women. Some women have found relief with non-prescription drugs, such as ibuprofen, vitamin E and vitamin B complex.

Alternative Therapy

• Black cohosh, a type of plant, may provide short-term relief for hot flashes and night sweats. It is a popular treatment for menopausal women in Europe. Soy products contain chemicals called isoflavones that mimic estrogen and its effects in the body. Women in countries that have soy foods as a regular part of their diet, such as those in Asia, report fewer instances of hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. Some women report that flaxseed and evening primrose oil help alleviate hot flashes, but no scientific evidence exists for these claims.

Prevention

• Hot flashes are a natural part of menopause and may be impossible to avoid, but you can monitor the triggers of your hot flashes to make them less frequent. Common triggers for hot flashes include stress, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine and smoking.