Perimenopause marks the time in life when a woman's body makes the transition from child-bearing years to menopause. It is actually a term that includes the years leading up to menopause and the first year after the final period. According to the Women's Health website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, signs of perimenopause include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, loss of libido, increased body fat around the waist and problems with concentration or memory. Hot flashes occur during the day. When you suffer from hot flashes at night they are called night sweats and can be accompanied by feelings of anxiety.
Definition and Causes
Hot flashes and night sweats are usually the most uncomfortable symptoms that perimenopausal women complain about. According to the Mayo Clinic, hot flashes can happen at any time of the day and leave women sweaty and red-faced. According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers estimate that as many as 3 out of every 4 women will experience hot flashes as they go through menopause. According to the Newsworthy website, some women report they are able to tell that a hot flash is coming, much like an aura felt by those who suffer from migraines. You may feel the upper body, from the chest to the scalp, start to flush and sweat profusely. As the hot flash progresses your heart rate and skin temperature will increase while your body temperature may drop as much as 3 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit. According to BreastCancer.org, these hot flashes are caused by a drop in the hormone estrogen as your body approaches menopause. This has a direct effect on the hypothalamus, the gland in your brain that controls temperature, sleep cycles and appetite.
Avoid Your Triggers
According to the Project Aware website, there are factors that will trigger a hot flash. By avoiding these factors you are able to decrease the number of hot flashes and night sweats that you experience each day. These triggers include spicy food, hot drinks, caffeine, alcohol, white sugar, stress, hot weather, hot tubs or hot showers, tobacco and marijuana, intense exercise and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, women who smoke, are obese, are physically inactive or are African American are more likely to suffer from hot flashes when they go through menopause. BreastCancer.org reports that many women find that stress tops the chart for triggers. They also identify diet pills as another trigger the sparks hot flashes and night sweats.
Lower Your Temperature
There are both traditional medicine solutions and home remedies that can help you to decrease the number of hot flashes you experience. According to BreastCancer.org, dress in layers so you can remove clothing as you get warmer, wear cotton, linen and rayon, avoid turtlenecks, lower the thermostat at home, use cotton sheets and take a cool shower before bed.
Use Activity to Reduce Stress
Increase your activity level by including exercise in your daily routine, Women's Health advises. This will help to reduce your stress level, another trigger for hot flashes. Exercise in a cool room at the gym and avoid the steam room or hot tub afterward. Dress for the environment and in layers when you exercise so that as your body heats up from the activity you can peel off a layer to maintain a cooler temperature.
Medications and Diet Options
Your physician also has some treatment options you can investigate. According to the Mayo Clinic, these medical options include estrogen therapy, progesterone therapy, antidepressants, gabapentin or clonidine. Each of these medications carries certain side effects or drug interactions. Be sure your doctor knows all of the medications you are taking, even those prescribed by another physician or an herbal supplement. According to BreastCancer.org, it is also beneficial to eat a low-fat diet and incorporate vitamin E supplements in your diet to reduce the number of hot flashes and night sweats.
Herbal Options
Herbal remedies for the treatment of hot flashes and night sweats include chickweed, dong quai, chaste berry, black cohosh, motherwort and licorice root, according to Project Aware. Hot flashes and night sweats also deplete the body of vitamin B, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium so it is important to replace those nutrients. According to Newsworthy, vitamin replacements, sage tea, over-the-counter topical progesterone cream, acupuncture, meditation, ginseng and evening primrose oil are other treatments for hot flashes and night sweats that you use. If you choose to use black cohosh, immediately report any nausea, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, right-sided stomach pain, dark urine or yellowing of the skin or eyes to your primary care physician. According to Great Britain's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, liver damage is a rare but deadly complication that must be addressed immediately.
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