Is it Time to Book a OBGYN Appointment?

As women approach menopause, it doesn't 'welcome' them all the same way. While some women experience a friendly menopausal transition, others can't stand the hot sensations or hot flashes the transition causes. Hot flashes can be painful and distressing, and they can last for a few minutes, showing symptoms like skin reddening–flushing. Although most obstetricians usually use contemporary medications to relieve these sensations, they still insist that natural remedies can be used to prevent them. According to most obstetricians, you can use some natural or non-hormonal options to ease hot flashes.

Mind Your Diet

While you could eat some foods to prevent hot flashes, you still have to avoid others. If you want to make those hot sensations less severe, avoid spicy foods and caffeine and stay away from alcohol. Instead, try to use plant estrogens in your diet to reduce the effects of hot flashes. Plant estrogens contain isoflavones that weaken hot flashes during the menopausal transition. Sources of plant estrogens include beans, vegetables, lentils, soybeans, fruits, flaxseed and chickpeas. If you choose to use flaxseeds, don't use the oil or whole seed form, but instead use the ground or crushed product since it's more effective.

Embrace Some Life Changes

If you sleep dressed in layers or increase the temperature in your room, hot flashes could ruin your peace and comfort in a big way. Look for ways to reduce the temperature in your house; you could keep the windows open, set your thermostat or use a fan. If you are overweight, try to reduce calorie intake and exercise a lot to reduce weight so the hot flashes won't take a toll on you.

If you smoke, quit the habit to minimise the effects of hot flashes. Besides experiencing severe hot sensations, postmenopausal women who smoke have increased cardiovascular risks. Avoid a sedentary life and exercise often, so you don't experience severe hot flashes. Try a 15-minute deep breath every morning and evening and about eight breaths every minute to ease hot flashes.

Pay Your Obstetrician a Visit

If the natural remedies don't work for you, visiting a certified obstetrician shouldn't be optional. Your obstetrician will analyse your symptoms and do some blood tests to diagnose if the menopausal transition is the cause of those hot flashes. Depending on the cause of those hot sensations, an obstetrician may treat the condition using hormonal substances like oestrogen. If hot flashes affect the quality of your life in a big way, the doctor may prescribe some anti-seizure drugs or antidepressants. Whichever treatment your obstetrician prescribes, they tailor it to your needs to enhance the quality of your life.