
3 Easy Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes
There are many symptoms that come along with the perimenopause stage due to hormonal imbalances, with the most common including irregular periods, insomnia, weight gain, and of course, hot flashes. Hot flashes and night sweats affect three-quarters of all women in perimenopause, and these symptoms can continue once they’ve reached the menopause stage.
With hot flashes being a regular occurrence for millions of women around the world, there have of course been many solutions and remedies created to ease our discomfort. From over-the-counter medicines to lifestyle changes. Here are some tips for you to try out if you’re looking to ease your hot flashes in easy and natural ways.
Adjust your eating and drinking habits
Changing certain things in your lifestyle can make a profound impact on your life just as any medication can. A healthier lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, lessened alcohol consumption, regular exercise, and avoidance of smoking can decrease perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms significantly.
While it’s encouraged that you lessen heavy drinking habits, studies have shown that drinking alcohol moderately, as opposed to completely abstaining from it, can help bring some relief from hot flashes. So if you’re someone that enjoys a beer or a wine once a day or even a few drinks once a month, you could decrease your risk for heart disease.
Drink ice-cold water or keep an ice pack nearby
For short-term relief, if you’re in the midst of a hot flash or feel one coming on, having a cold compress or iced drink can bring you comfort in an instant. Putting an ice pack on your forehead, behind your neck, and underneath your arms and sipping on something just as cold can reduce the heat. If you’re having an exceptionally uncomfortable hot flash, however, you can also opt for a cold shower or ice bath.
Consider natural supplements
There are a variety of natural treatments for hot flashes from herbs to oils, and even ingredients to add to your diet. Isoflavones, which can be found in plant foods like chickpeas, lentils, flaxseed, grains, beans, fruits, red clover, and vegetables, can help decrease the intensity of hot flashes. Many of these can also be found in capsule form.
Other supplements like maca root, evening primrose, flaxseed oil, and apple cider vinegar have also been found to be effective. However, it’s important to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these supplements especially if you have prescriptions, as some of them may interfere with your existing medications.
Final Note
Adjusting to menopause can be a difficult point in life for many women, as their bodies are undergoing a significant change. It’s important to remember that nearly every woman goes through the same symptoms as you are and that there are more than a handful of treatments available to you to assist you during this transition.
As long as you keep your health in mind and find ways to adjust your lifestyle in order to care for it properly, you should be living a healthier, happier, and more comfortable life.