What to take for severe hot flashes. Medications for menopause against hot flashes - list. Hormonal and non-hormonal drugs for menopause in women. What are hot flashes during menopause?

Significantly worsens a woman's quality of life. The level of sex hormones decreases, which provokes hot flashes, increased sweating, and discomfort in all vital systems. Tablets will help alleviate the condition and reduce discomfort during menopause.

Special medications will help reduce the unpleasant symptoms of menopause

When do you need pills for menopause?

In women, menopause begins at 45–55 years of age. There is a decrease in the sex hormone estrogen (the ovaries stop producing it) and the body undergoes major changes in hormonal levels, which are accompanied by unpleasant manifestations and greatly spoil the usual life.

Medicines for menopause help relieve symptoms.

Indications for their use are the following conditions:

• hot flashes (especially in stressful situations and at night);
• sleep disorder;
• increased irritability, nervousness, depression (absent-mindedness, panic attacks);
• scant discharge, vaginal dryness;
• decreased sexual desire and discomfort during sexual intercourse;
• painful sensations during urination;
• accelerated skin aging, increased brittleness of nails,.

If you experience frequent pain during urination, you need to take anti-menopausal medications.

Severe menopause can provoke increased fragility of bone tissue (osteoporosis), increased blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythm. Properly selected medications help get rid of unpleasant symptoms, stabilize hormonal levels and prevent dangerous complications.

Groups of drugs for menopause

Medicines in the form of capsules and tablets will help eliminate the negative manifestations of menopause. Depending on the therapeutic effect and impact on the female body, all remedies for menopause are divided into several main groups.

1. Hormonal medications. They are based on synthetic components - estrogen and progesterone. The product replenishes the lack of such substances in the body, normalizes the balance of female and male hormones, helps get rid of hot flashes and sweating, mood swings, and premature aging of the skin. The effect of the tablets is almost immediate.
2. Non-hormonal drugs or phytohormones (mainly dietary supplements). Herbal tablets act gently but slowly (unlike hormonal drugs), the therapeutic effect occurs after 2-3 weeks. Herbal remedies without synthetic hormones have no contraindications, but such treatment for menopause is very long-term.
3. Sedative medications. Calming tablets help normalize the functioning of the nervous system - improve sleep, eliminate irritability, attacks of anger, etc. .

Birth control pills help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Women often begin taking hormonal contraceptives at the age of 25–30, constantly monitoring their hormonal levels. Therefore, it is easier for such representatives of the fairer sex to endure the decline of reproductive function in the future.

List of the best pills for menopause

The best medicine for menopause is selected only by a specialist - the doctor takes into account the individual characteristics of hormonal levels and the clinical picture of menopause. Consider the list of the most popular remedies for menopause:

The drug belongs to non-hormonal herbal medicines. This is a biologically active food supplement (BAA). The product has virtually no contraindications. The exception is intolerance to the components of the herbal medicine.

Estrovel is a non-hormonal drug for menopause

How to use: take 1-2 capsules once a day with meals for 60 days.

Price – 425 rub. for 30 capsules per package.

An effective remedy for menopausal syndrome from a number of phytohormones and sedatives. Does not contain synthetic substances. The composition contains a large amount of magnesium and potassium, as well as B vitamins. Actively eliminates nervousness and hot flashes during early menopause, restores hormonal imbalance.

Climacycline is an effective remedy for menopause

You need to take the product 1 capsule once a day. Treatment lasts 2–3 months without interruptions.

Price – 400 rub. for 30 capsules.

Good vitamins for women during menopause. The product synthesizes sex hormones, normalizes metabolic processes in the body, which improves well-being and smoothes out the unpleasant signs of menopause.

The vitamin complex has a gentle effect on the female body and does not cause negative reactions. Contraindications include an allergic reaction to the components of the drug.

Qi-klim is a herbal remedy

Price – 420 rub. for 60 tablets.

The most popular and most effective phytoestrogen. A preparation based on sage stabilizes hormonal levels and permanently eliminates discomfort due to vaginal dryness, reduces migraines, fatigue and emotional outbursts.

Menoforce has a number of contraindications:

• allergy to sage or auxiliary components of the medicine;
• the period of planning a child, gestation, breastfeeding;
• epileptic pathologies;
• inflammatory processes in the kidneys, renal failure;
• diabetes;
• neoplasms (benign or oncological) in the uterus, ovaries or mammary glands.

Menoforse is a popular drug for menopause.

The dosage and duration of administration are adjusted by the doctor. Usually prescribed to take 1 tablet once a day for at least 30 days.

Price – up to 4000 rub.

The drug belongs to phytohormones, does not contain synthetic additives and does not cause side effects. Contraindications include individual intolerance.

Klimaktonorm has no side effects

Price – 570 rub. for 60 tablets.

A drug from the group of non-hormonal tablets for menopause produces anticlimacteric and estrogen-like effects. The product cannot be used in the presence of tumor processes or intolerance to the components of the drug.

Restrictions on the use of Klimadinon are:

• liver dysfunction;
• brain pathologies;
• epileptic disorders.

Klimadinon is a non-hormonal drug

You need to take a non-hormonal medicine at the same time in the morning and evening, 1 tablet. The course of therapy is from 1 month.

Price – 445 rub. for 60 tablets.

Effective tablets from the group of non-hormonal phytoestrogens. It has no contraindications (except for intolerance to soy or other components of the drug) and does not cause adverse reactions.

Lefem is a good remedy during menopause

Treatment with Lefem is long-term – 6–12 months. You need to take 1-2 tablets in the morning and evening.

Price – from 45 rub. for 30 tablets.

A medicine from the group of hormonal drugs. The drug actively eliminates menopausal disorders by influencing the specific function of the pituitary gland, which is responsible for stimulating sex hormones.

The drug has no contraindications for women in menopause. The tablets have a gentle effect on the body without causing negative reactions.

Sigetin helps eliminate climate disorder

Price – 485 rub. for 30 tablets.

The product belongs to phytohormones and is intended for the complete elimination or maximum relief of menopausal syndrome.

The drug should not be taken by people with intolerance to any of the components of the drug, otherwise it can provoke allergic reactions in the form of a skin rash.

Feminal contains phytohormones

Price – 700 rub. for 30 capsules.

Homeopathic tablets are non-hormonal medicines for menopause. The product quickly eliminates the unpleasant symptoms of menopause and normalizes hormonal levels.

Remens - homeopathic medicine

Price – 275 rub. for 30 tablets.

Anti-menopausal hormonal tablets. The drug is used for continuous hormone replacement therapy. The tablets help with hot flashes, normalize the emotional state, and improve the well-being of women in general.

Contraindications:

• thrombosis, thromboembolism;
• severe liver and kidney disorders;
• pathological changes of an oncological nature in the liver;
• malignant hormone-dependent tumors;
• mammary cancer;
• intolerance to the components of the drug.

Angelique - hormonal pills

Price – 1218 rub. for 28 tablets.

Most effective drugs are herbal based. They are completely safe and do not affect the cardiac or endocrine system. This gives them advantages over hormonal medications, which contain synthetic substances and can negatively affect the female body.

Everyone experiences menopause differently, but it is very difficult to find a woman who has not experienced hot flashes. For some people they are especially pronounced during menopause, while for others they appear only occasionally. But in any case, they cause discomfort and disrupt the normal rhythm of life. To prevent women from experiencing this painful condition, it is important to choose the right medications used for menopause from hot flashes. In this case, you can use both hormonal medications and herbal ones, for example, hawthorn or sage. They will help reduce the frequency of hot flashes, and the best remedy will completely eliminate this condition.

Hot flashes are frequent accompaniments of menopause, and you can get rid of them with the right medications.

Herbal preparations

Before you start taking any medications, you can try to improve your condition with safe herbs. First of all, these are hawthorn, sage and oregano. This treatment helps stabilize hormonal levels and improve the condition of women.

It is especially often recommended to drink tea with oregano. The herb can be added during the tea brewing process or used only to prepare the drink. If you take this remedy daily, you can improve your heart function and normalize your blood pressure.

You can also drink sage tea. The drink calms the nervous system and normalizes sleep, which is especially appropriate during menopause. In addition, to get rid of hot flashes, you can use a mixture that includes mint, chamomile and valerian. It is recommended to drink this infusion throughout the day until the condition is completely normalized.

Before taking medications, you can try to cope with hot flashes with oregano tea

• When the hawthorn begins to bloom, you need to collect the flowers and dry them. Later, after the fruits ripen, the berries are collected. They can be used either separately or as a mixture. To prepare a glass of drink you will need five grams of raw materials. You can drink the infusion instead of tea throughout the day. Such treatment helps normalize heart function, which helps eliminate hot flashes.
• Also, a tincture containing hawthorn is excellent for women during menopause. For its preparation, freshly squeezed juice of berries or flowers is used. The product is infused for two weeks. Then you can drink 30-40 drops three times a day. In this form, hawthorn helps stabilize blood pressure, improves heart function and has a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels.
• You can also use hawthorn in combination with desert and cucumber. In this case, a remedy is obtained that will be effective against almost all signs of menopause. It helps normalize the psycho-emotional state of women, eliminates hot flashes and pressure surges, cudweed relieves inflammation, hawthorn improves heart function, and motherwort normalizes sleep.

When hot flashes occur, products with hawthorn show effectiveness

Every woman worries about the aging of her body. Ladies want to stay young and attractive as long as possible. But there comes a time when the body begins to steadily age, and then menopause occurs.

What is menopause?

Menopause is the gradual extinction of ovarian processes due to the aging of the body. During this period, a woman's menstruation disappears and menopause occurs. The cessation of proper functioning of the ovaries leads to a decrease in the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. In the body, when there is a lack of these hormones, disturbances occur that lead to sleep problems, headaches, mood swings, nervousness and psychological disorders.

Hot flashes during menopause. What is this?

One of the signs of menopause is a rather specific symptom that appears several years before the onset of menopause or, in some cases, simultaneously with it. Due to the fact that hormones contribute to the proper functioning of most organs, their lack during menopause affects the body as a whole. For example, thermoregulation malfunctions, and a woman experiences sudden hot flashes.

This is how the body adapts to new operating conditions. As a rule, hot flashes during menopause appear over the course of two years; treatment without or with hormones is necessary only for this time. As a rule, the symptoms then go away.

Ways to treat menopause symptoms

To continue living a full life, a woman must learn to stop hot flashes during menopause. What is this, treatment without hormones? Drugs that do not contain artificial hormones are called hormone-free. Cases with mild symptoms usually do not require treatment. In some cases, unpleasant manifestations may be prolonged and then the gynecologist may prescribe medications that can reduce hot flashes during menopause. Treatments without hormones (non-hormonal methods), based on traditional medicine or associated with lifestyle changes, can be used independently to relieve menopausal symptoms.

Non-hormonal methods of treating menopause are:

• hormone-free drugs;
• phytotherapy;
• homeopathic remedies;
• traditional methods of treatment;
• alternative ways to correct symptoms.

Hormone-free treatment for hot flashes

To reduce the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms of menopause, you need to learn methods on how to treat hot flashes without the use of hormones. You can resort to taking medications that do not contain hormones. To select the necessary medications, you should definitely visit a doctor and get a full consultation on this issue. To reduce the severity of hot flashes, medications are prescribed to lower blood pressure, as they are often accompanied by sudden surges. By taking small amounts of antidepressants, a woman will reduce the occurrence of hot flashes to a small extent. To calm the nervous system, the patient is recommended to take mild sedatives. With the correct selection of the drug and compliance with the rules of administration, the number of hot flashes will decrease. Undoubtedly, during menopause you need to control yourself, try to control your emotions and use various means to wait out the hot flashes.

Innovative non-hormonal therapy for menopause

Ask your gynecologist about! The complex of low-molecular polypeptides in the drug normalizes the function of the pituitary gland and the balance of hormones, thereby easing the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause: hot flashes, excessive sweating, headaches, palpitations, sleep disturbances and emotional instability. Conducted double placebo-controlled studies showed a significant decrease in the severity of menopausal disorders during a course of treatment with Pineamin. The recommended course is 10 days and is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Contact your gynecologist to find out more information about the treatment of menopausal syndrome with the innovative drug Pineamin.

Traditional treatment of menopause and hot flashes

To get rid of hot flashes, you can safely use traditional treatment for menopause, because such methods have been used for many years. Let's look at the complex of folk remedies in more detail.

• In order to get rid of hot flashes, teas are prepared using various herbs: lemon balm, mint, horsetail and blue cyanosis are crushed and brewed with boiling water.
• To raise the tone of the body, take licorice root, linden blossom, and motherwort with sage steamed in boiling water.
• Using a collection consisting of motherwort, hawthorn, marsh cudweed, blackberry, woodruff and sage will help relieve pain and reduce sweating during hot flashes. All ingredients of the collection should be crushed, pour boiling water and let the infusion sit for an hour. Take one glass three times a day.
• normalizes the general condition of a woman. To do this, you should take one capsule of this herbal preparation orally. Flaxseed oil has the same effect.

It is worth noting that excessive use of folk remedies during menopause can cause convulsions, lower blood pressure and increase heart rate.

Herbal medicine as one of the safest ways to get rid of menopausal symptoms

Throughout the day, a woman can feel many unpleasant sensations - these are hot flashes during menopause. Treatment without hormones, herbal medicine in particular, occupies a leading place in the fight against menopausal symptoms. The frequency of sudden unpleasant sensations can reach 20 times a day. In nature, there are many plants that can relieve hot flashes during menopause. Treatment without hormones can be carried out using red beans, lentils, soy, nettle, motherwort and ginseng. Eleutherococcus and ginseng are also used to relieve symptoms. These herbs contain phytoestrogens, which help regulate hormonal levels. To improve blood circulation, you can prepare infusions and decoctions of angelica, nettle, yellow sorrel, raspberries, motherwort, goldenrod and others. Kava-kava herbs, linden and passionflower are also used to raise hormone levels. The latter, along with valerian, has a slight sedative property. Hot flashes are relieved by medicinal licorice, yarrow, and elderflower. If herbs do not help with hot flashes of menopause (in moderation), you should definitely consult a doctor.

Effective herbal preparations

But one of the most effective ways to combat hot flashes is herbal remedies. For example, one of the most popular preparations is prepared from:

• hibiscus;
• lemongrass berries;
• lemon balm;
• linden color;
• sage

These components should be mixed together and crushed. Then the collection must be poured with boiling water. These herbs do an excellent job, but you should consult your doctor before taking them.

Alternative ways to relieve menopause symptoms

Not only medications and medicinal plants, but also a correct lifestyle can significantly alleviate hot flashes during menopause. Treatment without hormones, the recommendations for which are given below, involves relieving symptoms by harmonizing lifestyle.

1. Physical activity. By performing various physical exercises, you can ease your psycho-emotional state. Just half an hour a day will relieve anxiety, stress and depressive moods caused by menopause.
2. Dieting. At the first signs of menopause, a woman should adjust her diet. It is necessary to additionally include in your diet foods containing calcium, magnesium, fiber, vegetables and fruits, as well as whole grains and drink a lot of water (up to 2 liters per day). At the same time, it is important to reduce the consumption of “harmful” foods: fatty, spicy, salty, caffeinated and alcohol-containing drinks.
3. Clothes made from natural fabrics. During hot flashes, the functioning of the thermoregulation system changes, and the presence of synthetics in clothing will aggravate the condition: synthetics are poorly ventilated and do not absorb moisture properly, which promotes the growth of bacteria and leads to the appearance of an unpleasant odor from sweat.
4. Personal hygiene. During hot flashes, there is increased sweating, and personal hygiene is necessary to get rid of these unpleasant sensations. You should shower several times a day, usually in the morning and evening. It is recommended to use antiperspirants and deodorants.
5. Rest. A woman during menopause should allocate enough time for rest. Overwork leads to stress, fatigue and tension, and these conditions provoke an increasing occurrence of hot flashes. Alternatively, you can also practice meditation.
6. Visit to the doctor. If there is the slightest deterioration in your general health during hot flashes, you should consult a doctor for advice. A specialist will be able to recommend how to stop hot flashes during menopause. Treatment without hormones, reviews and advice from women who have already encountered this problem, and doctor’s recommendations will help avoid serious health problems.

Homeopathy as a method for eliminating hot flashes

Practicing doctors in some cases prescribe drugs based on phytoestrogens. This is a type of preparation that contains plants capable of producing phytohormones that are identical in structure to estrogen. Due to this coincidence, these drugs are able to replace the natural hormone with the only exception that its effect will be more gentle.

When menopause occurs, homeopathic medications are prescribed to combat hot flashes.

1. "Inoklim" (obtained from soy) - perfectly fights hot flashes, depression, itching and a feeling of dryness in the groin area. But it has a number of side effects - the development of osteoporosis, increased heart rate.
2. "Estrovel" - contains nettle, racemose, vitamins E and B6, phenylalanine, folic acid. Used to alleviate the general condition during menopause.
3. "Klimadion" is a so-called dietary supplement, the main component of which is black cohosh racemosa. Has anti-inflammatory and mild diuretic effect.
4. "Feminalgin" - contains cohosh racemosa, magnesium phosphate, meadow lumbago. Has analgesic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects.
5. "Feminal" - a drug based on an extract Replenishes estrogen deficiency.
6. Femicaps - contains passionflower herb, aspen oil, evening primrose oil. Used for increased sweating and rapid heartbeat, and also as a mild sedative.

Preventive measures

For preventive purposes, gynecologists recommend taking vitamin supplements that include magnesium and calcium. This is necessary to maintain and strengthen bone tissue in the body. You should stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption to a minimum. You need to maintain a balance of nutrition. You need to eat fruits and vegetables, herbs, fish and cereals. Playing sports or light physical activity will improve your overall physical and emotional well-being. You need to rest more and avoid stress - and then hot flashes during menopause will disappear. Treatment without hormones, combined with preventive measures, has a very beneficial effect on the body, relieving unpleasant symptoms.

Conclusion

At the age of 45, a woman may experience the first signs of approaching menopause. Menstruation becomes irregular, hot flashes occur, painless bleeding suddenly appears - all these signs indicate the onset of menopause. In any case, you should not be afraid of menopause; every woman goes through this natural process in her life. And to meet this new stage of life with dignity, you need to be fully armed. It will be important to contact a gynecologist for a detailed consultation, because each method of combating hot flashes may have some individual limitations in its use. As a result, we can conclude that treatment without hormones can significantly reduce hot flashes during menopause.

The processes that occur in women during the period of hormonal changes during menopause are individual. Some people tolerate them easily and only notice the absence of menstruation, changes in skin and weight. For others, this time becomes a real hormonal storm.

Many unpleasant sensations are associated with hot flashes. But with the right approach, you can reduce their severity and calmly move on to a new age period.

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1. Causes of hot flashes

During reproductive age, the body functions in a mode of cyclic release of female sex hormones. They determine not only the time of onset, readiness to conceive and bear a child, but also the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous system.

Aging of the body is a natural programmed process. In a woman, it begins with a decrease in hormonal activity of the ovaries.

A decrease in estrogen secretion causes a response increase in the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. This is how the body tries to stimulate the ovaries. After a few years, the FSH content decreases, but still remains at a level higher than during reproductive age.

Stopping the production of estrogen by the ovaries does not mean their complete absence in the body. Their role is played by the adrenal glands and adipose tissue. But these estrogens are different from those produced by the ovaries; they do not have such a strong effect.

Therefore, estrogen deficiency becomes noticeable. The following systems and organs are affected by it:

• vessels;
• heart;
• bone;
• nervous system;
• epithelium and its appendages;
• endocrine organs.

They are summed up, and the menopausal index is calculated from the table, which reflects the severity of the manifestations of the menopausal period. Depending on the severity of the condition and the severity of symptoms, the need for treatment is decided.

4. How to reduce discomfort?

To get rid of hot flashes,... The later the attempts are made, the worse the expected result. It is optimal to start treatment no later than six months after the first hot flashes appear.

If hot flashes last a long time and persist after this age, then the woman must exclude somatic diseases (thyroid disease, pituitary tumors).

In severe and moderate forms, it is necessary; in mild cases of climacteric syndrome and mild symptoms, restorative methods and herbal medicine can be used.

4.1. Replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy helps control hot flashes. But there are absolute contraindications for it:

• Cancer of the mammary glands, genital organs, which has been diagnosed, in question, or previously suffered.
• Bleeding of unknown origin.
• Endometrial hyperplasia that cannot be treated.
• History of arterial and venous thrombosis, including angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, thrombophlebitis.
• Arterial hypertension for which no treatment is prescribed.
• Severe liver pathologies.
• Individual intolerance to drugs.

HRT is prescribed with caution for fibroids, endometriosis, migraine, epilepsy, and cholelithiasis.

Treatment is carried out in several modes, the choice of the most suitable one is determined individually by the attending physician:

1. 1 Monotherapy with estrogens or gestagens.
2. 2 Combination in a cyclic or continuous rhythm of estrogens and gestagens.
3. 3 Combination of estrogens and androgens.

Women with a removed uterus are limited to estrogen monotherapy. They do not have the risk of developing hyperplastic processes, so this treatment is sufficient.

There are 2 main schemes for using estrogen: in the form of continuous administration or alternating a 21-28-day course and a week-long break after it.

Pure estrogens contain the following drugs:

• Ovestin.
• Orniona.
• Proginova.
• Estrimax.

The price depends on the manufacturer, ranging from 360 to 900 rubles.

If it is impossible to take tablet forms, there are transdermal patches (Klimara) and gel (Estrogel, Divigel).

Only gestagens are prescribed for fibroids, endometriosis of the uterine body, dysfunctional bleeding. These can be drugs for oral administration (Duphaston, Dydrogesterone granules, Provera, Utrozhestan) or the Mirena intrauterine system containing levonorgestrel.

But most often, treatment is prescribed with two- and three-phase drugs, which in the first phase of the cycle are a source of estrogens, and in the second phase - gestagens.

The following hormonal agents are effective:

• Klymen;
• Klimonorm;
• Cycloproginova;
• Divina;
• Triquens;
• Estrofem.

Sometimes depot forms are prescribed, which are injected into the muscle and gradually release the required doses of hormones. In continuous mode, the doctor can prescribe Tibolone (Livial), Cliogest.

Hormonal therapy is used for at least 2-3 years. The effect of reducing the frequency of hot flashes develops at different rates, depending on the severity.

In women with severe manifestations, the effect increases over six months. Exit from HRT is done gradually after the disappearance of unpleasant symptoms. If they return after stopping the drugs, then treatment is resumed.

4.2. Non-hormonal drugs

Mild and moderate forms of hot flashes can be treated with non-hormonal drugs, which include phytoestrogens and amino acids. The effectiveness of homeopathic remedies is questionable.

An amino acid that can reduce the sensation of hot flashes is called alanine. It helps reduce the release of histamine, which causes vascular reactions, and also reduces the sensitivity of blood vessels to norepinephrine and dopamine. Available in the form of the drug Klimalanin.

Phytoestrogens are plant analogues of hormones that have similar activity. These include isoflavonoids, lignans, and coumestans. They are obtained from plants such as black cohosh, melbrosia, and raponticin.

Traces of phytoestrogens are found in nuts, carrots, legumes, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, and some fruits.

Preparations based on phytoestrogens are available in the form of drops or tablets. Among the pharmaceutical drugs are Klimadinon, Qi-klim. Usually the doctor prescribes 1 tablet or 30 drops twice a day. How long you need to take the drug is determined individually. They help relieve the condition, but the effect develops slowly.

Women during menopause should adjust their daily routine. It is necessary to allocate enough time for night sleep, and it should last at least 8 hours. It is better to wake up at the same time every day. During the day you can provide a break for rest.

Walking in the fresh air, general strengthening exercises, light yoga, swimming, dancing or fitness will help keep the body in good shape and cope with depression and irritability.

The diet must be reviewed. With age, metabolism slows down, the body spends less energy to maintain work. Therefore, the calorie content of food should be reduced. The basis of the diet should be vegetables, cereals, fruits, and dairy products.

You need to eat less red meat, preferably replacing it with poultry and fish. Seafood contains a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which normalize the lipid profile.

It is better to keep alcohol, simple carbohydrates in the form of sweets, and flour products to a minimum. Women who have problems with excess weight should completely exclude it.

Not worth it. Menopause is not a reason to give it up. But the absence of menstruation at the beginning of this period does not mean the inability to get pregnant. In the first year after menopause, some ovarian activity still remains, and ovulation sometimes occurs. Therefore, we must not forget about contraception.

is a transitional period in a woman’s life. The time of its onset is difficult to predict, but it is always possible to eliminate the causes that contribute to the deterioration of well-being. If a woman controls her weight, is emotionally balanced, and treats diseases of the internal organs in a timely manner, then the manifestations of menopausal syndrome do not last long. It is important to seek medical help promptly.

Hot flashes are a sudden and short-term sensation of warmth that is mostly felt in the face and chest, but can spread throughout the body. Hot flashes are often accompanied by redness of the face, as well as profuse sweating. Typically, a tide lasts from 30 seconds to several minutes, and the tides themselves are more often observed in the mornings (from 6 to 8 am) and in the evenings (from 6 to 10 pm). Some women also report hot flashes at night, causing excessive sweating and insomnia.

Why do hot flashes occur?

The causes of hot flashes have not been reliably studied, but it is known that hot flashes appear when the level of estrogen in the blood decreases. Estrogens are female sex hormones that are produced in the ovaries. As ovarian function declines several years before and several years after menstruation stops, estrogen levels in the blood gradually decline, causing hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

Do all women experience hot flashes the same?

No, and even moreover, for each woman, hot flashes occur individually: more often or less frequently, weaker or stronger. The good news is that most women (85-90%) experience mild to moderate hot flashes and only 10-15% of women experience severe hot flashes that require immediate medical treatment.

Who might get severe hot flashes?

It has been noted that more severe hot flashes are observed in women who have had breast cancer and taken the drug Tamoxifen. In addition, hot flashes are stronger the less time has passed from the period of regular menstruation to the moment when menstruation has completely stopped (that is, the faster menopause occurs, the more pronounced its symptoms).

More pronounced symptoms of menopause (including hot flashes) are experienced by women whose ovaries have been surgically removed (the so-called surgical menopause), as well as if menopause occurs as a result of chemotherapy.

More frequent and severe hot flashes also occur in women who smoke and who are overweight.

When will the tides stop?

If you start experiencing hot flashes, you will most likely continue to have them periodically for at least 1 year. However, most women experience hot flashes for at least 5 years, less often for 7-10 years.

When should you see a doctor?

The vast majority of women who experience hot flashes do not need drug treatment and can cope with this problem on their own, without seeing a doctor. But you need to immediately visit a gynecologist if hot flashes interfere with your work or rest, cause insomnia, or are accompanied by dizziness, palpitations, feelings of anxiety and restlessness.

The following tips will help you, if not completely get rid of hot flashes, then at least make them less frequent and milder.

• Avoid stressful situations whenever possible. Get plenty of rest and pay special attention to planning your day. This will avoid haste and, as a result, unnecessary worries.
• Don't drink coffee or reduce it to a minimum (you can switch to decaffeinated coffee).
• Don't drink alcohol or keep it to a minimum.
• Avoid spicy foods and lots of spices.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid hot, stuffy rooms.
• If you notice that hot flashes appear in a certain situation (when you are in a certain room, eating a certain dish, drinking a certain drink, etc.), avoid such situations.
• If you experience hot flashes at night, ventilate your bedroom before going to bed and keep the room air moderately cool.
• Cool pillows can also help relieve hot flashes (take your pillow out onto the balcony or place a cold object on it before bed).
• If you sweat a lot at night, wear cotton pajamas and cover yourself with a thinner blanket. If you get sweaty at night, replacing wet pajamas will be much easier than replacing wet sheets.
• Use only cotton sheets.
• Take a cool shower before going to bed.
• Dress in layers, and then, once in a warm room, you can remove the top layer of clothing, avoiding overheating.
• Prefer “breathable” natural fabrics over synthetic ones: it is better to wear clothes made of cotton, linen, viscose and avoid items made of wool, silk and synthetics. Avoid turtlenecks or turtleneck sweaters in favor of open-neck shirts or sweaters.
• Try to walk more: even 15 minutes of walking every day can help make hot flashes less frequent. You will also benefit from taking the stairs rather than the elevator. Do not underestimate physical activity: it reliably helps not only to reduce the frequency of hot flashes, but also reduces the risk of insomnia, feelings of chronic fatigue, increases your energy levels, trains the heart, etc.
• When you feel the tide coming on, sit down and take a few deep, rare breaths.
• Avoid hot baths or hot showers. Avoid steam rooms and saunas.
• Always have a bottle of cool water with you.
• Buy an air conditioner or fan.
• Sign up for a massage or yoga.

Treating hot flashes with herbs

Treatment of menopause with herbs in medicine is called herbal medicine. There are several herbal remedies that many women and a small number of doctors believe can reduce menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes.

black cohosh (black cohosh) This is a plant that grows in North America and is quite popular there. Black cohosh contains substances similar in chemical structure to estrogens produced in the female body. Theoretically (and perhaps practically), these plant estrogens, or phytoestrogens, can compensate for the deficiency of the body’s own hormones. In 2001, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists confirmed that black cohosh rhizome extract can reduce menopausal symptoms (including hot flashes and night sweats), and its use for up to 6 months is safe and has virtually no side effects. In our country, black cohosh can be found in the form of the dietary supplement Black cohosh Plus (which also contains motherwort and lemon balm).

Evening primrose oil (evening primrose oil) is another drug used to treat hot flashes. Some women report the effectiveness of this remedy, but there is no scientific evidence yet that this remedy actually works. Here you can find biologically active preparations of evening primrose oil in capsule form.

Linseed oil may make hot flashes less frequent and milder. One small study in 2007 reported that women taking flaxseed oil experienced fewer hot flashes compared to women taking a placebo (pacifier).

Soybeans. Some studies have shown that soy and products containing it can provide the body with a small amount of phytoestrogens (substances similar in chemical structure to estrogens) and reduce the symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes. Women experiencing hot flashes are advised to include soy milk, tofu, whole soybeans, lentils, and foods containing soy powder in their diet. You can also use food supplements with soy, for example, Femiwell, Medisoya, Soy isoflavones.

Important: despite the great popularity of herbal preparations and medicinal herbs in the treatment of hot flashes during menopause, there is no clear scientific evidence that they are effective and completely safe. It is wrong to think that herbal drugs are harmless and not as dangerous as hormonal drugs and other drugs of non-herbal origin. Every medicine or dietary supplement may have side effects and should not be taken uncontrolled.

Treatment of hot flashes with medications

Hormonal therapy with estrogen is considered the most effective treatment for hot flashes during menopause, but is associated with certain side effects and not every woman is suitable for such treatment. Drug treatment of hot flashes is recommended only for frequent and severe attacks that interfere with a full life. Therefore, be sure to ask your doctor not only about the benefits of drug treatment, but also about possible side effects.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

The concept of “replacement” means that the prescribed hormonal treatment compensates for the deficiency of sex hormones that exists in a woman’s body during menopause. Hormone replacement therapy allows you to cope not only with hot flashes, but also with other symptoms of menopause (vaginal dryness and discomfort, mood swings, and others). However, hormonal treatment may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer. In this regard, you and your doctor should carefully discuss the tactics of the prescribed treatment and assess the risks of side effects for you, taking into account past or concomitant diseases. For example, hormone replacement therapy is not recommended for women who have had breast cancer.

Birth control pills (oral contraceptives, OK)

Birth control pills contain those sex hormones that a woman lacks during menopause. Your doctor may recommend taking oral contraceptives to ease the symptoms of menopause. Most often, this method of treatment is used for women who, in addition to hot flashes, are bothered by irregular uterine bleeding, if other possible causes of uterine bleeding are excluded. An undoubted advantage of this treatment is its contraceptive effect.

But it is worth remembering that older ones are not recommended if you smoke. The choice of specific tablets is also very important and should be made only by the attending physician and in no case independently or on the advice of a friend. Complications of improper treatment can be fatal.

Antidepressants

Some antidepressants that regulate serotonin metabolism in the brain help reduce hot flashes and have been shown to be effective in 60% of subjects. The list of suitable medications is quite long, but the drugs Effexor, Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline, Celexa and others have shown the greatest effectiveness. However, it is worth understanding that such treatment is not without side effects. Some women have reported that their sex drive has decreased while taking antidepressants.

Vitamin E

There are reports that taking vitamin E at a dose of up to 400 units per day helps reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. Many supplements offered to postmenopausal women contain vitamin E. While there is no scientifically proven evidence that vitamin E helps with hot flashes, some women do report benefits from this treatment.

Let's sum it up

It is normal for you to experience hot flashes and you do not need to see a doctor unless the hot flashes are interfering with your normal functioning. You can solve this problem yourself by slightly adjusting your lifestyle. If hot flashes are severe and frequent, then you may need drug treatment, for which you should consult a gynecologist.