Women notice many changes as they age. Menopause is the time of life when no periods have occurred for one year. It is a time when the body is adjusting to ageing. One sign, known as hot flushes, happens in 4 out of 5 women who start natural menopause or who have their ovaries removed. It's the loss of the female hormone oestrogen that makes these happen.
A hot flush feels like a warmth that starts in the chest and spreads up to the head and neck. A flush, or redness, may follow this feeling. The body actually cools itself by sweating. Some women may become dizzy, nauseated, or have a fast heartbeat (palpitations) with this feeling. These flushes often occur at night and wake the woman from sleep. They may last a few seconds or many minutes. They may occur once a week or as often as every 30 minutes. If sleep is lost every night, the woman will be tired and stressed during the day.
Hot flushes can occur even before periods are missed and last well into the menopause. Forty-five percent of women have flushes 5 years into menopause. If these are not too disturbing, they do not need to be treated. If they are severe, or if other problems (such as vaginal dryness) occur too, treatment may be helpful.
Taking the female hormone, oestrogen, in small, constant amounts will stop the flushes. Before treatment, an exam, a mammogram, and blood tests will be done. Your medical history will help determine the risks to consider. If you are at risk for heart or bone problems, hormone therapy may be suggested. If you have had breast cancer or serious blood clots in the past, you may not be able to use oestrogen. There are now other options available for those unwilling or unable to tolerate hormone replacement therapy. See your doctor if you think you may be having hot flushes.
Article #7134
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