Menopause is a significant part of the female aging process that comes with many physical and psychological symptoms. Hot flashes occur in about 70% of women going through the menopause transition. Traditional regulation of menopause symptoms consists of estrogen hormonal therapy. Risks associated with this treatment have sparked new research in complementary and alternative medicine. This scientific data is now suggesting that estrogen therapy may not be the only viable treatment option for your hot flashes.
Menopause Overview
Menopause is a natural event that occurs in women on average at age 51. It marks the end of menstruation and fertility. Common symptoms you may experience during and slightly before going through menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, mood swings and sleep disturbances. Hot flashes are one of the most uncomfortable menopause symptoms. A single hot flash instance can last from one to five minutes, sometimes longer. During a hot flash, you may experience a bright red face, a very warm feeling throughout your body and possibly sweating. The exact cause of hot flashes is unknown.
Risk of Estrogen Therapy
Because of your irregular hormonal levels during menopause, estrogen hormone replacement therapy is the traditional treatment for hot flashes and other symptoms. Long-term use of hormone replacement drugs has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer and abnormal mammograms. Short-term estrogen treatments are not necessarily linked to these same risks. Despite the risks, hormone replacement therapy is still a very effective treatment of hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
Fish Oil
The risk of hormone treatments often steer women toward "natural" or non-prescription treatment options. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have already-established cardiovascular benefits. New research is now examining the effectiveness of fish oil supplements for treatment of hot flashes in menopausal women. Some research suggests that daily supplementation of 500 milligrams of EPA Omega-3 fatty acids may decrease the occurrence and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women. More clinical trials are still necessary to determine scientific conclusions regarding the effectiveness of fish oil supplementation, potential risks and suggested dosing for hot flash regulation.
Recommended Treatment
Since the symptoms of menopause vary greatly from woman to woman, your treatment option must be individualized. Contact your doctor to discuss the treatments that are best for you. Consider the severity of your symptoms, your health history and any potential risks and benefits associated with any treatment plan. A combination of short-term estrogen therapy may be paired with a "natural" treatment, such as fish oil supplementation, to control your hot flashes and other menopause symptoms.
References
- MGH Center for Womens Mental Health, Use of CAM for Menopausal Hot Flashes, May 2009
- PubMed, Effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on hot flashes and quality of life among middle-aged women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, 2009
- Mayo Clinic, Hormone Therapy: Is it right for you?, February 2010
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