Tips for Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are exactly what their name indicates. They hit without warning, making a woman feel hot and flushed, and can range from simply annoying to intrusive. Many women have heard about hot flashes, but are taken by surprise when they start, so it’s smart to learn how to handle hot flashes when they happen to you. Our San Antonio OBGYNs have several tips for hot flashes that can help keep you cool and comfortable through menopause.
Hot flashes occur in women who are experiencing perimenopause or menopause. Many women only have a brief period of hot flashes during menopause, while others may continue to feel them the remainder of their lives. Some women never experience them.
The experience of hot flashes also varies. Many women report experiencing sudden heat, flushing and sweating. Some women note clammy skin, heart palpitations and a feeling of anxiety. Others feel a chill after the hot flash. The length and severity of the hot flash is different for each person.
How to handle hot flashes
One of the most effective tips for hot flashes is to avoid common triggers.
- Heat
- Spicy food
- Stress
- Tight clothing
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
For many women, lifestyle changes can reduce the severity and impact of hot flashes.
- Drink cold water
- Dress in layers
- Use a handheld fan
- Reduce excess weight
- Relaxation activities, such as yoga and stretching
It’s also important to know how to cool down hot flashes at night, which are also known as “night sweats.”
- Lower your bedroom temperature
- Use multiple layers of bedding that can be easily added or removed
- Drink cold water before bed
Medical treatment and other tips for hot flashes
Beyond these go-to tips for hot flashes, medical options are available. With the counsel of our San Antonio OBGYNs, you may consider hormone therapy to replace the hormones that decline during menopause. Nonhormonal treatments are also available. The most common nonhormonal medications are low-dose antidepressants, or SSRIs.
Both hormonal and nonhormonal treatments have proven to decrease hot flashes, but they also have risks to consider before taking them. Our San Antonio OBGYNs can walk you through all treatment options to help you best determine how to handle hot flashes.
There are also many over-the-counter products marketed to women that claim to help with hot flashes. The majority of these are untested and unregulated. Some are not safe – even those that claim to be “all-natural” or “herbal.” Before beginning any treatment for hot flashes, check with your physician.
If you’ve had enough and are wondering how to handle hot flashes, we want to help you manage them safely. Contact Legacy Women’s Health for an appointment with our San Antonio OBGYNs to get more tips for hot flashes and explore treatment options.