Remedies For Hot Flashes
Recent news about the risks of hormone replacement therapy has many women asking about alternative treatments to relieve hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.
The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay gave the latest on items that may help ease the symptoms of menopause.
Hot flashes and night sweats are two symptoms of menopause that can really affect a woman's quality of life as the natural levels of estrogen decline. And, Senay says, there's no question that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective way to provide relief. The problem is that the symptoms of menopause often recur if the treatment is stopped. More evidence suggests that the commonly-prescribed combination hormone therapy is not a good idea for long periods of time.
Senay says there are some natural remedies that have been around for a while that are getting a lot of attention as women begin asking what are some natural alternatives to relieve hot flashes.
Soy, black cohosh and red clover have all been the subject of several studies, but the benefits have been limited and the results have been mixed. The Chinese herb dong quai and evening primrose have not been shown to be very effective in studies.
But, Senay says, some women find these remedies really help. In most of the studies, the placebo effect is almost as strong as the real effect with just about every treatment, including HRT.
Soy and other plant-based foods contain plant estrogens called isoflavones that have been shown in some studies to help relieve menopausal symptoms. Isoflavones can be found in soy products, and also whole grains and beans.
Senay says there are also a variety of soy extract dietary supplements available, which again have shown limited benefits. The current thinking is that it is probably going to be more beneficial to consume soy as a part of your diet rather than as a supplement.
To help avoid hot flashes, Senay recommends to keep your weight down, so good diet and regular exercise are important. Avoid getting too warm by dressing in layers and sleeping in a cool room. Also, avoid hot flash triggers such as hot and spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol. As well as try to reduce your stress.
Senay warns that a product is not necessarily safe just because it's natural. She says more studies are needed to observe the long-term effects of the alternative remedies to hot flashes, and we need to be cautious in using products that we don't fully understand yet.
She says the most important thing you can do is discuss any tactic or therapy you're considering with your doctor in order to discuss your individual risks or possible interactions with other medications.