That sudden rush of heat, the flushed skin and the troublesome night sweats – hot flushes can be more than just an annoyance. They can interfere with your work, sleep and overall quality of life. While Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) has been shown to relieve these symptoms, it’s not an appropriate or desired option for everyone, especially women who have had breast cancer.
The good news is that you don’t have to just take them. With a naturopathy approach, you have non-hormonal tactics to cool down and find relief. It’s a matter of looking at the big picture, and aiding in your body’s ability to achieve balance.
Laying the Foundation: Lifestyle and Trigger Management
The first, and most liberating step is to become a detective of your own body. Once you make the connection of what is causing your hot flushes, you can start to cut back on them. Medical professionals and women who have been through it alike say it’s key to avoid common triggers.
Just jot down when you have a hot flush in a basic notebook. Remember what you were eating, doing, or feeling at that time.
Common culprits often include:
- Stress: One of the body’s primary triggers.
- Hot drinks, spicy food and alcohol.
- Caffeine and smoking.
- Heat, such as a hot bath or shower, hot weather, or a stuffy room.
In addition to dodging triggers, there are easy preparations that can leave you worlds better:
- Layer with breathable materials such as rayon and cotton that can be removed.
- Sip on ice water when you sense a flush coming on.
- Use cotton linen and sleep in light cotton pyjamas to aid in soaking up the damp at night. A bedside fan can be a lifesaver as well.
A Guided, Cautious Approach to Herbal Remedies
The supplement aisle is a daunting place, where scores of products purport to be the ‘natural’ remedy for hot flushes. It’s essential to go forward with knowledge and care. Black Cohosh may offer a slight benefit for some women, but has a rare risk of severe liver damage, so should not be used without naturopathic supervision.
This is where personal assistance can be invaluable. Just because something is ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it is safe. A number of herbs can have very serious adverse effects or even interact dangerously with prescription drugs. As a naturopath, it’s my job to make a personalised plan that works best for you and your health. I only ever use standardised practitioner-grade supplements which are made with quality ingredients specifically for your health needs.
There is no one magic bullet for managing hot flushes without hormones. It’s all about putting a multi-dimensional plan in place that supports your lifestyle, settles down your nervous system and feeds your body.
So, if you want a personalised, safe, and evidence-based natural approach to dealing with your hot flushes, then I encourage you to get in touch or book an online consultation today.
