Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause and they are challenging to control. For some women they are mild, while for others they can be severe and interrupt the ability to work or get a good night's sleep. There are many alternative therapies such as ground flaxseed that have been tried. However, it is always best to speak with your physician to avoid complications before trying any alternative remedy.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes cause a sudden warm to hot feeling on your face and upper body and may or may not be accompanied by a fast pulse, sweating, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, headache, weakness or difficulty breathing. The drop in the female hormone estrogen is thought to be what triggers hot flashes. As estrogen levels decrease, your hypothalamus, which is responsible for regulating your body temperature, may receive erroneous signals that your body temperature is too high. This causes a release of the chemicals epinephrine, norepinephrine, prostaglandin and serotonin, which sends blood to the skin's surface, causes you to sweat and other reactions in an attempt to cool you down, notes BreastCancer.org. The severity and frequency of hot flashes varies greatly from person to person.
Treatment
There is no cure for hot flashes, so treatment is aimed at reducing triggers and making certain lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise can help. Sleeping in a cool room, using bedding that lets your skin breathe, and dressing in layers are other options. Drinking a glass of cool water or trying a deep breathing or meditation exercise when you feel a hot flash coming on may also help. You may also find that certain hot and spicy foods trigger a hot flash. There are medications available to help replace the lost hormones, however they can have a lot of side effects and should be used with caution, reports the National Institute on Aging. Since each person is unique it is important to talk to your doctor about your overall health, the severity of your symptoms and your risk for other diseases when deciding on the best treatment approach.
Flaxseed and Hot Flashes
Flaxseeds and the oil made from them are high in fiber and have a natural laxative effect, so flaxseed is often used to treat constipation. Flaxseed is also a good vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, certain chemicals in flaxseed called lignans mimic the actions of the hormone estrogen and therefore may help decrease mild menopausal symptoms, notes MayoClinic.com. In some cases lignans may actually compete with estrogen in the body decreasing the effectiveness of natural estrogens, which is why flaxseed is sometimes used to reduce the risk of breast cancer and other cancers that are influenced by estrogen levels.
Dosage and Safety
While studies are limited in some women with mild symptoms of menopause, taking 40 mg of flaxseed daily seems to reduce hot flashes and night sweats in women, but a lower dose of 25 grams per day does not appear to produce the same results, according to MedlinePlus. While adding flaxseed to your diet is considered generally safe, you may have an increased number of bowel movements or develop bloating, gas, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, stomachache and nausea.
Taking supplements or high doses can cause many side effects and may be dangerous for those individuals with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, diabetes, bleeding disorders and some forms of cancer. Flaxseed can interact with many herbal, over-the-counter and prescription medications, so it should only be used under medical supervision.
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