How to Balance Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are a symptom that many women suffer from for a variety of reasons, many times due to the onset of menopause. While there is no cure for hot flashes, they can often be controlled with medication, diet, herbal supplements and by avoiding environmental contaminants.

Diet

• Certain foods that trigger an increase in levels of estrogen production may be more likely to cause you to be susceptible to hot flashes. Processed and canned meats are examples of foods injected with hormones and should be avoided. These, along with some dairy products, can cause estrogen levels to rise. Simple sugars and food and beverages with high fructose corn syrup will also raise estrogen levels.

  Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages as they deplete the body of necessary B vitamins that protect the liver. Regulating hormones is one of the many functions of the liver and if it fails to remove them through bile or urine, an accumulation of estrogen in the tissue may result. An inefficient liver may result in painful menstruation, hot flashes, cysts and other undesirable side effects. B vitamins such as B-12 and folic acid help the liver to function properly as well as prevent diseases.

Get Tested

• Hormonal imbalances can be a primary cause of hot flashes. See an endocrinologist or a hormone specialist to run tests. The thyroid and adrenal glands as well as the ovaries should work in harmony to produce the proper amount of estrogen and projesterone. By simply knowing if there is an imbalance, your medical professional can prescribe the proper form of treatment. Often, you may be given blood pressure medication, low-dose estrogen, or be placed on hormone therapy.

Exercise

• Exercise offers a wide array of health benefits and controlling hot flashes is one of them. It helps stabilize mood swings, relieve menopausal symptoms and enhance the feeling of well being. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should get at least half and hour of moderate intensity physical activity each day. This can include walking, jogging, dancing, swimming, circuit training or bicycling. Some preliminary studies show that yoga is effective at decreasing hot flashes in menopausal women.

Herbs and Supplements

• Certain plant estrogens called phytoestrogens can help alleviate hot flashes. Soy milk, tofu, and other soy-based products can help relieve symptoms of menopause. Flaxseed products such as oil and ground flaxseed are also helpful at controlling hot flashes.

  One of the most popular supplements in the U.S. is black cohosh. According to the EMedicineHealth.com, some studies have shown black cohosh may reduce hot flashes, but this is not definitive and it has not yet been determined what long-term benefits or drawbacks may result from the use of black cohosh.