7 Triggers That Increase Hot Flashes and 5 Remedies to Cool You Off

A hot flash is a momentary sensation of heat that can be accompanied by a red, flushing face and sweats. Hot flashes occur when the blood vessels near the skin's surface dilate to cool. This produces the red, flushed look to the face. A woman may also perspire to cool down her 

body. In addition, some women experience a rapid heart rate or chills.

How can you help prevent hot flashes? You can try to avoid these 8 triggers.

Stress

Caffeine

Alcohol

Spicy foods

Tight clothing

Heat

Cigarette smoke

Are you currently having them and want to try to temper them? Try these remedies.

Hormone Replacement Therapy. Everyone's body is different, so everyone experiencing hot flashes or other premenopausal symptoms require different levels of medication. The good thing about this, with lab work and an experienced doctor, you will know exactly what hormone you need, how much you need, and the best way to take the medicine. This will require a prescription, but this is the best way to treat the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Soy products. Plant estrogens, found in soy products, such as isoflavones, are thought to have weak estrogen-like effects that may reduce hot flashes. The research results, however, have been contradictory. Soy foods, not supplements, are recommended.

Black cohosh. Some studies suggest that black cohosh may be helpful in the very short term (six months or less) for treating hot flashes and night sweats. Side effects include gastrointestinal upset.

Evening primrose oil is another botanical that is often used to treat hot flashes, although there is no scientific evidence to support this. Side effects include nausea and diarrhea. Women taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, should not take evening primrose oil.

Flaxseed. Although there is no scientific evidence to support using flaxseed, it is thought to decrease the symptoms of menopause, particularly hot flashes. Also known as linseed, flaxseed is available in both whole seed and seed oil forms.

If you have any questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy, need help finding a doctor, or have any questions about the supplements listed here, call The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy of Largo at 727-501-0188 and the staff can give you any information you need. You can also bring in your lab results from your blood work and have our pharmacist give you his opinion about your hormone levels.