The fact is that there are more menopausal women now than at any
other time in history. Research indicates that fully forty million women
will enter menopause within the next twenty years.
Fortunately, there is more information available now (than ever before) to help guide women through these troubling times. Unfortunately, there is also an equal amount of semi-factual and misleading information on the topic, and information dispensed from those with their own agenda.
As a whole, women tend to get their information from just five sources. All of these sources have previously demonstrated that they are not entirely forthcoming where the facts are concerned.
1. The pharmaceutical Industry has previously tried to hide the fact that the major side-effects of estrogen-progestin based Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) included breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots.
2. Medical Doctors too often get their second-hand biased information from pharmaceutical sales representatives and not medical professionals. The medical profession gets paid to perform costly procedures. Thus 40% to 80% of all hysterectomies are estimated to be completely unnecessary.
3. The Advertising Industry who promote the value of "youth" and looking young and nearly anorexic.
4. Friends and Family often provide well-intentioned, albeit misleading, or out-of-date advice.
5. The internet is loaded with misinformation, inaccuracies, and propaganda filled with half-truths to convince the reader to have confidence in the product they are selling.
Around the age of 50, a woman's hormone levels decrease rapidly as her ovaries stop producing the estrogen hormone. Sensing the drop in estrogen levels, the body's internal thermostat tends to react strongly. Blood vessels on the skins surface open up like a radiator, enveloping the sufferer in (what feels like) intense heat and flushing about the neck and face.
It has been estimated that about 80% percent of all women experience menopause hot flashes and night sweats as they go through menopause.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are immediately triggered following a partial or complete hysterectomy.
The first order of business is to determine the level intensity that the hot flash/night sweat sufferer is experiencing.
Keep Track
Menopause hot flashes may occur more predictably and less randomly than one might think. As a result, it would do well to track when the hot flashes and night sweats occur, their intensity and duration. It is also advisable to record the circumstances preceding individual episodes - foods and beverages consumed, stress level at the time of the event, etc.
Studies indicate that menopause hot flashes and night sweats worsen following identifiable 'triggers'. It is advisable to familiarize oneself with these 'triggers' as this will help to ameliorate the duration and severity of the episode.
Stay Cool
Ingesting cool drinks can be a boon, as well as wearing light-weight wicking fabrics that allow the body to 'breath'. Obviously, cool rooms provide more comfort to the hot flash/night sweat suffer than do warm rooms.
Don't be afraid to crank up the air conditioning until the appropriate comfort level is attained. In this regard, friends family and co-workers need to be a little understanding of someone who is experiencing menopause hot flashes and night sweats.
Focus and Meditation
Menopause hot flashes appear to be stimulated by a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) known as norepinephrine, which influences the temperature-regulating center in the brain. So, daily stress reduction practices such a meditation, deep breathing and yoga, which result in lower levels of norepinephrine, not only feel good, but also help to moderate menopause hot flashes and night sweats.
Supplements and Herbs
Supplements used to control menopause hot flashes and night sweats (that actually work) contain concentrated flax hull lignans (derived from whole ground flaxseed) or are soy based. The phytoestrogens produced by the lignans (or isoflavonoids in soy based supplements) restart the body's own ability to produce the necessary female estrogens following menopause.
Clinical tests on most of the traditional herbs (sarsaparilla, dong quoi, black cohosh, false unicorn root, fennel, anise, etc.) have been proven to be no more effective (at controlling menopause hot flashes, night sweats and other common menopause symptoms) than placebos.
Exercise
A Swedish study showed that severe menopause hot flashes and night sweats were only half as common among physically active postmenopausal women when compared to those less active. Exercise increases the level of endorphins, the hormones that elevate mood and increase energy. The level of endorphins drop when there is an estrogen deficiency. Since endorphins affect body's temperature regulation center, physical activity that increases endorphin levels may reduce the frequency and severity of menopause hot flashes and night sweats.
Don't Lose too Much Weight
Estrogen is stored in body fat after menopause. As a result, a very thin woman will have less natural estrogen in her system and thus menopause hot flashes and night sweats may become more problematic (for her).
Surgery?
Since menopause hot flashes, brought on by natural menopause do not indicate pathology, it is unlikely that individual sufferers will require surgery.
Should a medical professional suggest or recommend surgery (partial or complete hysterectomy) be sure to get a second, third and fourth opinion.
Fortunately, there is more information available now (than ever before) to help guide women through these troubling times. Unfortunately, there is also an equal amount of semi-factual and misleading information on the topic, and information dispensed from those with their own agenda.
As a whole, women tend to get their information from just five sources. All of these sources have previously demonstrated that they are not entirely forthcoming where the facts are concerned.
1. The pharmaceutical Industry has previously tried to hide the fact that the major side-effects of estrogen-progestin based Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) included breast cancer, heart attack, stroke and blood clots.
2. Medical Doctors too often get their second-hand biased information from pharmaceutical sales representatives and not medical professionals. The medical profession gets paid to perform costly procedures. Thus 40% to 80% of all hysterectomies are estimated to be completely unnecessary.
3. The Advertising Industry who promote the value of "youth" and looking young and nearly anorexic.
4. Friends and Family often provide well-intentioned, albeit misleading, or out-of-date advice.
5. The internet is loaded with misinformation, inaccuracies, and propaganda filled with half-truths to convince the reader to have confidence in the product they are selling.
Around the age of 50, a woman's hormone levels decrease rapidly as her ovaries stop producing the estrogen hormone. Sensing the drop in estrogen levels, the body's internal thermostat tends to react strongly. Blood vessels on the skins surface open up like a radiator, enveloping the sufferer in (what feels like) intense heat and flushing about the neck and face.
It has been estimated that about 80% percent of all women experience menopause hot flashes and night sweats as they go through menopause.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are immediately triggered following a partial or complete hysterectomy.
The first order of business is to determine the level intensity that the hot flash/night sweat sufferer is experiencing.
Keep Track
Menopause hot flashes may occur more predictably and less randomly than one might think. As a result, it would do well to track when the hot flashes and night sweats occur, their intensity and duration. It is also advisable to record the circumstances preceding individual episodes - foods and beverages consumed, stress level at the time of the event, etc.
Studies indicate that menopause hot flashes and night sweats worsen following identifiable 'triggers'. It is advisable to familiarize oneself with these 'triggers' as this will help to ameliorate the duration and severity of the episode.
Stay Cool
Ingesting cool drinks can be a boon, as well as wearing light-weight wicking fabrics that allow the body to 'breath'. Obviously, cool rooms provide more comfort to the hot flash/night sweat suffer than do warm rooms.
Don't be afraid to crank up the air conditioning until the appropriate comfort level is attained. In this regard, friends family and co-workers need to be a little understanding of someone who is experiencing menopause hot flashes and night sweats.
Focus and Meditation
Menopause hot flashes appear to be stimulated by a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) known as norepinephrine, which influences the temperature-regulating center in the brain. So, daily stress reduction practices such a meditation, deep breathing and yoga, which result in lower levels of norepinephrine, not only feel good, but also help to moderate menopause hot flashes and night sweats.
Supplements and Herbs
Supplements used to control menopause hot flashes and night sweats (that actually work) contain concentrated flax hull lignans (derived from whole ground flaxseed) or are soy based. The phytoestrogens produced by the lignans (or isoflavonoids in soy based supplements) restart the body's own ability to produce the necessary female estrogens following menopause.
Clinical tests on most of the traditional herbs (sarsaparilla, dong quoi, black cohosh, false unicorn root, fennel, anise, etc.) have been proven to be no more effective (at controlling menopause hot flashes, night sweats and other common menopause symptoms) than placebos.
Exercise
A Swedish study showed that severe menopause hot flashes and night sweats were only half as common among physically active postmenopausal women when compared to those less active. Exercise increases the level of endorphins, the hormones that elevate mood and increase energy. The level of endorphins drop when there is an estrogen deficiency. Since endorphins affect body's temperature regulation center, physical activity that increases endorphin levels may reduce the frequency and severity of menopause hot flashes and night sweats.
Don't Lose too Much Weight
Estrogen is stored in body fat after menopause. As a result, a very thin woman will have less natural estrogen in her system and thus menopause hot flashes and night sweats may become more problematic (for her).
Surgery?
Since menopause hot flashes, brought on by natural menopause do not indicate pathology, it is unlikely that individual sufferers will require surgery.
Should a medical professional suggest or recommend surgery (partial or complete hysterectomy) be sure to get a second, third and fourth opinion.
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