Menopause is the time of life when women typically stop having menstrual periods and hormone production slows. It usually starts in the early 50s. Side effects of menopause include mood swings, night sweats and hot flashes. There are a number of natural and medical treatments to ease the discomfort of hot flashes, an uncomfortable condition that causes you to heat up and sweat profusely at various times for no apparent reason.
HRT
HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, is a treatment prescribed by many doctors to relieve menopausal symptoms. Estrogen and progesterone may be used in your treatment. Be sure to discuss the side effects of HRT with your doctor. Serious side effects have been reported that include an increased risk of breast cancer, blood clots and stroke. Other side effects include breast tenderness, cramping, bloating and periodic menses.
Phytoestrogens
Before taking an herbal supplement to treat hot flashes, you should talk to your doctor about possible interactions with current treatments you may be undergoing. Black cohosh is a common herb that many women have found successful in treating the side effects of menopause, while others find relief in phytoestrogens. The estrogen-like substances are naturally occurring in soy, vegetables, herbs and some cereals. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, little is known about the side effects of excessive phytoestrogens. While you may try beefing up your diet with additional forms of phytoestrogens or take supplements that contain them, you should be cautious and tell your doctor if you are taking other drugs to increase your estrogen. Women with a history of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, breast, ovarian or uterine cancer also must take precautions when considering phytoestrogen therapy.
Antidepressants
In March 2011, the National Institutes of Health reported that using the antidepressant escitalopram relieved menopausal symptoms considerably, particularly hot flashes. Both the severity and number of hot flashes women had were reduced. Researchers don't understand how the drug works, but are encouraged with the results from early studies.
DHEA
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, DHEA supplements may help reduce hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. The substance occurs naturally in your body and converts to the hormones that your body is losing during menopause. Estrogen and testosterone are created by DHEA, which is depleted with age. Commercially, DHEA is sold as a dietary supplement. You should discuss its use with your doctor. While the supplement is touted as a cure-all for a wide range of age-related conditions, the long-term side effects have not been studied.
Birth Control
As you begin to feel hot flashes during perimenopause, you may be advised to take birth control pills to replace lost hormones. Perimenopause is the time prior to full-blown menopause, when your hormones become erratic, causing periodic bouts of menopausal symptoms. In addition to relieving hot flashes, birth control pills can help with irregular menstrual cycles and heavy bleeding that often occur before your menses cease.
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