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Menopause at 40: Hot Flashes

Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. They are caused by changes in a woman's hormonal levels causing her estrogen levels to decline. They occur in approximately two-thirds of women who are experiencing menopause. The duration of hot flashes varies from woman to woman. Medical treatment is not necessary unless the hot flashes become bothersome.

  1. Hot Flashes

    • A hot flash occurs when a brief sensation of heat is felt. It may cause a woman to perspire and her face to appear red and flushed. The hot flashes occur when the blood vessels near the skin's surface begin to dilate in order to cool off. This causes the woman's face to have a red, flushed appearance. In order to cool down the body, the woman may begin to sweat. Some women may also experience chills or a rapid pulse.

    Who Is at Risk of Having Hot Flashes?

    • Not all menopausal women will experience hot flashes. It is unknown as to why some women have them while others do not. There are, however, some factors that may increase a woman's risk of having them. Women who are smokers will most likely experience hot flashes. Woman who have a higher body mass index, indicating that they are obese, are more prone to hot flashes as well. Also, more African-American women have hot flashes than Caucasian women. It is less common in women of Chinese or Japanese decent.

    Hormonal Therapy

    • If hot flashes become too unbearable, a physician may recommend hormonal therapy. The most effective hormonal treatment is estrogen therapy. It comes in the forms of a pill, a patch or a gel. Since estrogen alone can cause uterine cancer, it is combined with a progestin for women who have not had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). The progesterone-only therapy is for women who cannot take estrogen, particularly women with a history of blood clots or breast cancer.

    Alternative Medicines

    • There are some dietary supplements that are used to control hot flashes. One of these is black cohosh, which is very popular among American and European women. Remifemin is one of the most popular brands of black cohosh. Other supplements are soy and red clover. Isoflavone is a compound found in the supplements that is similar to estrogen. Consult with a physician first before taking any herbal supplements. As with any alternative medication, take them with caution. Some can have harmful side effects and may interact with other medications that one may be taking.

    How to Avoid Hot Flashes

    • Having hot flashes may be unavoidable during menopause. There are some causable factors that can be avoided. Some things that can trigger the occurrence of hot flashes are the intake of alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods. Stress, wearing tight clothes and smoking cigarettes can also bring about hot flashes. To take control of the hot flashes, try to stay cool by wearing light layers of clothing and by using fans or air conditioning. At night, having a cooler pillow to lay your head on may be helpful. Stress can be reduced by doing some moderate exercising and also by using relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or yoga.

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