How to Eliminate Hot Flashes in Menopause

Menopause is not a disease or condition that can be cured but a natural, normal and universal part of the aging process for every woman. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause marks the end of fertility and is defined as occurring 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. It is sometimes called the "change of life" because a number of changes happen in a woman's body during this time that result in a variety of symptoms, including uncomfortable hot flashes. Such flashes can be eliminated, however, with a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook and pen to document hot flash occurrence

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Instructions

• 1

  Document your hot flashes. Make note of when they begin and end, the severity of the hot flash, the environment you were in when the hot flash began and whether you were involved in any activity that might have triggered the hot flash.

• 2

  Schedule an appointment with your health care provider. Share your notes regarding your hot flash experiences with him or her. Provide a complete medical history. Undergo a thorough physical examination to rule out possible causes of hot flashes other than menopause.

• 3

  Discuss treatment options with your health care provider once all medical background information has been gathered. Consider lifestyle changes, dietary supplementation and over-the-counter medications, but realize that, although these may help to control the extent of hot flashes, there is no clinical evidence to show that they can eliminate them.

• 4

  Discuss treatment options with non-hormonal prescription medications. Recognize that there is no non-hormonal prescription drug that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hot flashes. However, some antidepressants, high blood pressure medications and epilepsy drugs have been effective in reducing the incidence and severity of hot flashes in some women who cannot, or prefer to not, undergo hormone therapy.

• 5

  Discuss treatment with hormone therapy. According to the Mayo Clinic and the North American Menopause Society, systemic estrogen therapy remains the most effective option for treating hot flashes, and it is the only therapy to receive approval from both the FDA and Health Canada for the treatment of hot flashes. However, some risks have been associated with their use, so you and your doctor will need to discuss what is best for you.