Do you find yourself feeling warm while others don't? If you do, then you might be experiencing hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause caused by decreasing levels of estrogen. Around 85% of American women experience hot flashes in varying degrees as they approach menopause; 20-50% of them continue to feel hot flashes for the first two years after their last period. The intensity of the hot flashes decreases with time, but they can be very uncomfortable while they last. Thankfully, you can use a hot flash remedy that is completely natural to soothe discomfort and decrease the severity of your menopause symptoms. Enjoy a good night's sleep and a pleasant day with these three natural hot flash remedies.
Vitamin E for Hot Flash Relief
Most people think of the antioxidant vitamin E as a single substance working alone. The fact of the matter is that vitamin E is actually made up of several different antioxidants - four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) and four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma, delta). The alpha tocopherol vitamin E is the only type that the human body can store and maintain. It is also a popular subject of scientific research, and one of the few natural substances that delivers consistent results to women suffering uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Not only was alpha tocopherol found to relieve hot flashes; it can also combat vaginal dryness, boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of heart attacks.
If you intend to take vitamin E for menopause relief, consider investing in a vitamin C supplement too. Research shows that vitamins E and C are a highly effective antioxidant team, with vitamin C enhancing the effects of vitamin E.
Progesterone Cream to Keep You Cool
The symptoms of menopause are not so much caused by the drop in hormones as an imbalance in the ways estrogen and progesterone get depleted. Estrogen levels only fall by 40-60% during menopause, but progesterone levels can drop to as low as zero. This happens because of the loss in ovarian function. The ovaries are responsible for producing natural progesterone but once ovulation stops, the ovaries no longer secrete this hormone. Progesterone is critical to your body because it inhibits the harmful effects of estrogen, particularly cell growth. If left unopposed, estrogen can promote unhealthy cell growth, which can lead to the formation of tumors - and if there isn't any progesterone left to stop this from happening, this can cause severe health problems.
One interesting discovery made by current research is that natural progesterone cream is more effective at reducing hot flashes and other menopause symptoms than estrogenic substances. A controlled scientific study involved the participation of 120 menopausal women who experienced hot flashes daily. Half of them were given 20mg of natural progesterone cream a day, while the other half were given a placebo. Not only did the progesterone cream reduce hot flash episodes significantly (83% reduction in the progesterone group, compared to 19% reduction in the placebo group); it did not reduce bone density the way synthetic estrogen does. Take note that the word "natural" is used - the synthetic progesterone progestin has been found to cause breast cancer, especially when used with synthetic progesterone.
If you'd like to explore the benefits of progesterone cream, it's best if you see a naturopathic doctor and take a saliva test to measure your body's estrogen and progesterone level. This will help your doctor determine the appropriate dosage, or if you might benefit more from a natural estrogen supplement. Progesterone cream is very easy to use: apply as directed in areas with thin skin such as the throat, chest, breast, or inner arms.
Maca to Keep as a Hot Flash Treatment
Instead of taking hormone replacement therapy, thousands of American women depend on a root crop from Peru for menopause relief. This root is called maca, and it has been a popular Peruvian remedy for thousands of years. Only lately have Western women realized how critical maca can be to their health. Unlike phytoestrogenic plants like black cohosh, which work on the ovaries to regulate their functions, maca works on different organs like the adrenal gland, pituitary gland, and the pancreas to reduce the symptoms of menopause. This ancient remedy has also been found to maintain the libido during menopause by increasing the endocrine gland's output. Take note that maca itself does not contain any hormones; rather, its effects on the pituitary gland produces the precursors needed to raise progesterone and estrogen levels. Unlike hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which shocks the body and throws it into a state of confusion, maca's effects work slowly, naturally, and produce very few side effects.
Karen Hamilton is an advisor on a variety of women's health topics. She has a Masters Degree in Transitional Psychology, as well as education in a number of complementary therapies. After her own suffering with serious hormonal symptoms and her success at overcoming them through naturopathic medicine, she is now living completely HRT free. Along her journey, she uncovered natural ways that are essential to eliminate severe discomfort associated with perimenopause and menopause. Now there is nothing she enjoys more than helping others get the same relief. If you would like to get another free tip for a highly effective hot flash remedy visit http://www.MenopauseHelpCenter.com to ease your discomfort.
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Friday, April 13, 2012
Hot Flash Remedy - Three That Are Natural and Effective
Monday, April 9, 2012
Chinese Medicine can Provide an Effective Hot Flash Remedy
There is no way to completely avoid hot flashes, but turning to a hot flash remedy may help ease the intensity and severity of an attack. It doesn't matter whether or not a doctor prescribes the hot flash remedy or the treatment is more of a natural alternative. It never hurts to consider some of the methods available to the public when it comes to finding an effective way to relieve hot flashes.
When looking for a worthy hot flash remedy, many people are turning to the healing properties of Chinese medicine. These kinds of remedies would exclude the use of man-made chemicals and drugs. The practice of Chinese medicine has long been used to deliver a very effective hot flash remedy to women. While menopause is viewed as one of the main culprits, there are numerous varieties of hot flashes. For each one, the Chinese have a description and different approach aimed at providing relief in a holistic and healthy way.
If you choose to seek out help from the wisdom of Chinese medicine, you will notice that a Chinese doctor will ask you questions concerning all areas of your health history. A complete physical will also take place. You may notice that special care is taken in analyzing the tongue and your pulse. After this battery of tests and assessments is complete, the doctor will determine the type of menopause you are suffering from. This will also help settle on the best course of action in providing you with a hot flash remedy.
What to Expect
When entering the world of Chinese medicine, you will most likely encounter either acupuncture or an herbal hot flash remedy. Through acupuncture, a doctor will tap into your inner spirit and energy. Many consider this approach extremely effective. When dealing with an herbal hot flash remedy, you may ingest a wide range of herbs that are combined to provide a well-rounded treatment.
Most often, these herbs are consumed in the form of tea. Some of the ingredients a doctor may use include ginseng, red raspberry leaves, evening primrose oil, licorice root, spearmint, chasteberry, black cohosh and wild yams. These Chinese herbs have been highly regarded when it comes to a hot flash remedy and have been used for many centuries.
Discover how YOU can find relief for hot flashes and menopausal symptoms without Hormone Replacement Therapy at Linda Bruton's Survive Menopause site. Pick up your free special report "Coping with Hot Flashes the Natural Way" (a $27 value) by clicking here: http://www.survivemenopause.com
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