Generally occurring among women who are between 45 and 55 years old, menopause is a period that marks the cessation of ovarian function. During this period, the production of oestrogen gradually decreases so that ovulation and menstruation may stop permanently. Oestrogens are steroid sex hormones that have multiple functions in women’s bodies, such as thermal regulation for example. Consequently, when these hormones decrease significantly, hot flashes appear, causing a sensation of extreme heat throughout the body as well as excessive sweating. Hot flashes are especially felt during the night, which helps to disturb the sleep of 80% of women affected by the phenomenon. However, they may also appear in the middle of the day, for no apparent reason.
Also know that hot flashes occur more frequently and more intensely when the woman is exposed to periods of stress, overwork or fatigue. Similarly, these events tend to be exacerbated by emotional or affective factors. Today, some medical research shows that hot flashes particularly affect women of small body size, but also all those who smoke or have a sedentary lifestyle. It is however important to keep in mind that the phenomenon can occur just as frequently in women of normal body size, as well as in non smoking women who engage in regular physical activity.
To fight against hot flashes, doctors most often used hormone replacement therapy (HRT), consisting of synthetic estrogens. However, be aware that hormone therapy is strictly contraindicated for patients with a history of gynaecological cancer or conditions such as phlebitis. In addition, this form of therapy is not without side effects since it can cause many disorders, including circulatory or mental afflictions. To this extent, homoeopathy appears as an ideal form of therapy for all those who cannot or do not wish to resort to synthetic hormones. Combined with a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet, homoeopathy not only helps reduce the intensity of hot flashes, but also significantly reduces their frequency.
When they occur, hot flashes cause a sensation of warmth that quickly spreads throughout the body. In most cases, this sensation of warmth is much more felt on the face and is usually accompanied by a tingling sensation around the cheeks and ears In addition, the heart rate then increases significantly, causing palpitations that are always very annoying. Generally, hot flashes are also accompanied by profuse sweating, which takes a few minutes to stop. In some cases, the sensation of heat may be followed by a sensation of cold that happens a few seconds later. However, when hot flashes occur, they can also be accompanied by headaches or breast tenderness.
If the hot flashes are accompanied by an increasing heart rate and are immediately followed by a sensation of cold, it is advisable to take 5 granules of Amylium nitrosum 5 CH as soon as the symptoms appear.
If the hot flashes are accompanied by breast tenderness, that is to say a swelling of the breast, you will need to take 5 granules of Asterias rubens 5 CH as soon as the symptoms appear.
In case of hot flashes accompanied by a increasing heart rate and heavy sweating, it is recommended to take 5 granules of Belladonna 5 CH as soon as the symptoms appear.
If the hot flashes are accompanied by headaches, a migraine or chest tightness, in addition to causing palpitations, take 5 granules of Glonoinum 5 CH as soon as the symptoms appear.
When the hot flashes are accompanied by a tingling sensation around the cheeks and ears, take 5 granules of Sanguinaria canadensis 5 CH as soon as the symptoms appear.
It is good to know that other remedies can also be recommended in cases of hot flashes accompanied by a choking sensation, mood disorders, sleep disorders, and feelings of warmth on the feet’s soles. Prescribed as part of a preventive treatment, these remedies are, most of the time, prepared from Folliculinum, Graphites, Lachesis mutus, Sepia officinalis or Sulphur. Nonetheless, the dosage must then be adapted by the medical practicionner in order to meet the patient’s needs as best as possible.
In general, menopause should always be subject to appropriate health surveillance. Indeed, during this particularly critical period, it is very important to conduct regular medical examinations in order to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. These exams which, most of the time, include mammographies and bone mineral density scans, allow the gynaecologist to check the patient’s health in order to adjust the treatment depending on the ailments that the patient may suffer from.
Good to know: To reduce hot flashes, doctors usually recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which often comes with side-effects and which, in some cases, may even be contraindicated. Deprived of undesirable side effects, homoeopathy helps to fight off hot flashes effectively without the need for hormonal therapy.
