Biology, Part II
February 7, 2012
Read on a Hallmark Maxine card: "Don't think of it as a hot flash. Consider it your inner child playing with matches!"
Yesterday I explored why our body goes through "the change." Today we discuss more about one of the classic symptoms: Hot Flashes.
The above quote from Maxine is accurate in its description of a hot flash. It is like your body is burning you up from the inside/out. One core thing to remember tho, is that no matter how horrible, disruptive and frustrating they can be, hot flashes are not a serious medical problem to be overtly concerned with. No woman ever died from having a hot flash.
She just felt like she was.
You can manage them in several ways that may make your life seem more normal. The first and majorly easy way is by life style changes. Drink cold beverages rather than hot coffee or tea throughout the day. Sometimes having a cup of that hot, morning caffeinated coffee can almost precipitate and enhance a flash. Limit your caffeine. Don't smoke. Have an electric fan handy at your desk or in your bedroom. Dress in layers - you can remove clothing in layers a lot easier when sweating then if you just have a blouse on over your underwear. You may look stylishly cute when you walk out the door in the morning in that pretty new blouse, but when a flash blows thru, you can't rip that blouse off at your desk to cool down. Unless of course you have your own private office and can lock the door against unwitting intruders! Along with layering is wearing natural fibers such as cotton or those new wicking fabrics that actually pull the heat away from your body. These must have been invented by a group of menopausal engineers, no?
I can never say enough about relaxation exercises and deep breathing. I know its hard when a flash hits to think about anything other than getting cool, but taking a few deep breaths and closing your eyes will help your body begin to regulate the internal temp again. Limiting your intake of hot spicy food and alcohol can also aid. Although there isn't a woman I personally know who is willing to give up a glass of wine during this time! Some even prefer to go through it with a mild perpetual buzz, thinking they will feel better if they're a little smashed! This is not true. Alcohol, even those lovely red wines with tannens we are always told are beneficial for us are really not good for our bodies during the time. But by all means, if you feel better having a glass of Merlot with dinner every night... and one with Jeopardy...and one before bed... go for it!
Those are some of the easy, cost effective, non-medical ways to deal with the flashes. There are some medical ways as well, and these require a physician's knowledge, consent and guidance. I spoke with my OB/GYN about the pharmacology of menopause, and you should speak with yours as well, because every woman and every menopause is different. I'm going to highlight some of the more popular ones next, but just realize that this is in no way a complete listing, nor is it an across-the-board recommendation as well. After speaking with my doc, I decided to go the natural way and avoid prescription meds and hormones.
Time will tell if I made the correct decision, but for me at this time it was the right one.
Hormone Replacement Therapy , or HRT. Short term and low dose HRT can reduce some of the symptoms of menopause by increasing your body's estrogen level. Remember, you body is stopping production of estrogen, which is leading to a physical state where you will not menstruate any longer. Replacing those hormones with low doses of the hormone can alleviate the problems caused by reduced natural production. HRT got a great deal of newsplay several years ago when the medical literature started documenting all the side effects that can come along with its use, such as increased risks of blood clots, stoke, heart disease, some cancers indicative of women ( breast and ovarian) and even heightened incidences of dementia. Again, a long and detailed talk with your own OB/GYN doc, who knows your medical history will be the deciding factor if HRT is for you. One thing to remember tho, when considering this. The HRT can help the symptoms by increasing your hormone levels, but when you go off of it, those levels will decline again, and you may lapse back into the same situation where you are now.
Or not. Like I said before: every woman and every menopause is different.
More on other medical treatments next time, but below are a few websites that you might want to link to for any questions or concerns.
Or if you just want to know more about this lovely time in your life!
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: www.acog.org
National Women's Health Information Center: www.womenshealth.gov
North American Menopause Society (NAMS) told you this one existed! www.menopause.org and info@menopause.org
Read on a Hallmark Maxine card: "Don't think of it as a hot flash. Consider it your inner child playing with matches!"
Yesterday I explored why our body goes through "the change." Today we discuss more about one of the classic symptoms: Hot Flashes.
The above quote from Maxine is accurate in its description of a hot flash. It is like your body is burning you up from the inside/out. One core thing to remember tho, is that no matter how horrible, disruptive and frustrating they can be, hot flashes are not a serious medical problem to be overtly concerned with. No woman ever died from having a hot flash.
She just felt like she was.
You can manage them in several ways that may make your life seem more normal. The first and majorly easy way is by life style changes. Drink cold beverages rather than hot coffee or tea throughout the day. Sometimes having a cup of that hot, morning caffeinated coffee can almost precipitate and enhance a flash. Limit your caffeine. Don't smoke. Have an electric fan handy at your desk or in your bedroom. Dress in layers - you can remove clothing in layers a lot easier when sweating then if you just have a blouse on over your underwear. You may look stylishly cute when you walk out the door in the morning in that pretty new blouse, but when a flash blows thru, you can't rip that blouse off at your desk to cool down. Unless of course you have your own private office and can lock the door against unwitting intruders! Along with layering is wearing natural fibers such as cotton or those new wicking fabrics that actually pull the heat away from your body. These must have been invented by a group of menopausal engineers, no?
I can never say enough about relaxation exercises and deep breathing. I know its hard when a flash hits to think about anything other than getting cool, but taking a few deep breaths and closing your eyes will help your body begin to regulate the internal temp again. Limiting your intake of hot spicy food and alcohol can also aid. Although there isn't a woman I personally know who is willing to give up a glass of wine during this time! Some even prefer to go through it with a mild perpetual buzz, thinking they will feel better if they're a little smashed! This is not true. Alcohol, even those lovely red wines with tannens we are always told are beneficial for us are really not good for our bodies during the time. But by all means, if you feel better having a glass of Merlot with dinner every night... and one with Jeopardy...and one before bed... go for it!
Those are some of the easy, cost effective, non-medical ways to deal with the flashes. There are some medical ways as well, and these require a physician's knowledge, consent and guidance. I spoke with my OB/GYN about the pharmacology of menopause, and you should speak with yours as well, because every woman and every menopause is different. I'm going to highlight some of the more popular ones next, but just realize that this is in no way a complete listing, nor is it an across-the-board recommendation as well. After speaking with my doc, I decided to go the natural way and avoid prescription meds and hormones.
Time will tell if I made the correct decision, but for me at this time it was the right one.
Hormone Replacement Therapy , or HRT. Short term and low dose HRT can reduce some of the symptoms of menopause by increasing your body's estrogen level. Remember, you body is stopping production of estrogen, which is leading to a physical state where you will not menstruate any longer. Replacing those hormones with low doses of the hormone can alleviate the problems caused by reduced natural production. HRT got a great deal of newsplay several years ago when the medical literature started documenting all the side effects that can come along with its use, such as increased risks of blood clots, stoke, heart disease, some cancers indicative of women ( breast and ovarian) and even heightened incidences of dementia. Again, a long and detailed talk with your own OB/GYN doc, who knows your medical history will be the deciding factor if HRT is for you. One thing to remember tho, when considering this. The HRT can help the symptoms by increasing your hormone levels, but when you go off of it, those levels will decline again, and you may lapse back into the same situation where you are now.
Or not. Like I said before: every woman and every menopause is different.
More on other medical treatments next time, but below are a few websites that you might want to link to for any questions or concerns.
Or if you just want to know more about this lovely time in your life!
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: www.acog.org
National Women's Health Information Center: www.womenshealth.gov
North American Menopause Society (NAMS) told you this one existed! www.menopause.org and info@menopause.org
Comments
Post a Comment
Share your story!