Did I but have a hot flash? I'1000 44!

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Hot flashes — those sudden surges of hot skin and sweat associated with menopause and perimenopause — start for most women in their 40s. If that'southward news to yous, have a deep breath.

Outset, hot flashes occur less frequently in perimenopause (the pre-menopause years) than during menopause. Second, there are several ways you can manage these heat spikes to lessen their affect on your daily life.

Wen Shen, Grand.D., Grand.P.H., a Johns Hopkins gynecologist who specializes in perimenopause and menopause, shares information about hot flashes and steps you can take to minimize their affect.

Q: What is a hot wink?

A: Hot flashes are the quick bursts of hot skin and often drenching sweat that last anywhere from 30 seconds to about 5 minutes. Your face and cervix may turn red, your heart charge per unit may increment and y'all will most probable suspension out in a sweat. Night sweats are the same thing, just you lot're asleep and are jolted awake by the heat and sweat sensation consuming your torso.

These sudden bursts, especially at nighttime, can cause fatigue, irritability and even forgetfulness. For 10 to fifteen pct of women, hot flashes are so astringent that they disrupt normal functions, such as leading a coming together or sticking to a schedule. If you feel your daily activities are impacted past hot flashes, brand certain to speak with your gynecologist.

Q: How long will I get hot flashes?

A: On average, you may be looking at x-15 years of living with hot flashes. Though they are sporadic, their unpredictability is very frustrating. Allow'due south wait at what y'all tin await:

  • 40s: This is when about women start perimenopause. Some hot flashes and dark sweats brainstorm. (For some, perimenopause starts in the 30s.)
  • 46-53: In the U.S., this is the boilerplate age for menopause, which is defined as 12 directly months with no menstruation. Hot flashes tend to be most frequent in the two years subsequently menopause.
  • Late 50s: Most women continue to take hot flashes anywhere from 4-10 years afterward menopause. But most of these will decrease in frequency and severity.

Q: What causes hot flashes?

A: The exact causes of hot flashes are even so unknown, but they are thought to be related to changes in the encephalon's thermoregulatory centre, which controls estrus product and loss, and is influenced by your hormones. During perimenopause, hormones outset interim similar a rollercoaster, with progesterone and estrogen levels changing in broad variations. These ups and downs don't settle down until almost x years later menopause.

Q: How tin can you control hot flashes?

A: At that place are several means to deal with hot flashes. Since hormone levels are changing all the fourth dimension, we don't treat the hormone levels — we treat the symptoms. Starting time with lifestyle changes, but if that doesn't work, talk to your gynecologist about prescription medication.

Lifestyle

1. Keep Yourself Absurd.

  • Dress in layers so you can easily remove clothes if you get hot.
  • Wearable natural fibers instead of constructed materials.
  • Carry a portable fan in your handbag.
  • Employ cold water and pre-treated wipes to cool the back of your neck when you feel a hot flash coming on.

2. Avoid Triggers.

  • Information technology may take you a while to figure out your triggers. For most women, they include coffee and blood-red wine.
  • Review your medications with your provider. Certain high blood pressure and cholesterol medicines are known to cause hot flashes.

three. Acupuncture: Research has shown that acupuncture can exist highly effective for resolving hot flashes. In a written report funded by the National Institutes of Health, hot flashes were reduced by well-nigh half for 50 percentage of women over eight weeks of acupuncture handling.

Prescription Medications

If lifestyle changes don't help you manage hot flashes, talk to your gynecologist about medication.

  1. Menopause Hormone Therapy: This is actually the aureate standard for treatment options — it is the most constructive way to make certain hot flashes are manageable. There is a multitude of options, and your gynecologist tin recommend a treatment that meets your needs.
  2. Nonhormonal Medications: For women who practise not wish to utilize hormone therapy, or cannot use it due to medical issues, there are nonhormonal medications such as gabapentin, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and clonidine.
  3. New Drugs: There are new drugs and injections being tested that may take intendance of specific menopausal symptoms. Especially if you cannot take hormone therapy because information technology may be harmful to you (a medical contraindication) or if y'all did non find relief with the other medications, these new drugs may be helpful. Talk to your provider to observe out if you qualify to employ them.

Hot flashes are an unavoidable part of being a woman. Just with lifestyle choices and perhaps help from your gynecologist, you can manage them with minimal disruption to your life.

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