Is There a Quick Solution for Menopausal Hot Flashes and Night Sweats?
I’d love to tell you that all you have to do is take X, Y, or Z and your hot flashes will disappear. While there are some “shotgun” approaches that help many women, they don’t work for everyone—and they don’t explain why you’re having symptoms in the first place.
If You’re Looking for a Quick Answer to Hot Flashes and Night Sweats:
Take a high-quality fish oil [1], consider DHEA [2] if it’s appropriate for you, and try a standardized black cohosh extract—preferably one similar to the preparations used in many of the German clinical studies [called Remifemin] [3]. For many women, that’s enough to significantly reduce hot flashes. Oh, and just a small dose of DHEA—about 5 mg. Check DHEA-S when appropriate, and reduce or stop it if acne, oily skin, facial hair growth, scalp hair loss, irritability, or other androgenic symptoms appear.
Supplements are not drugs: If you take the time to look at the research for the above supplements, you will find that results are hit and miss. The combination may work for you; just understand that not everyone gets the desired result. If the supplement fulfils your particular physiologic need, there are improvements. If not, there is no improvement or marginal improvement.
Estriol Cream and Menopause
You may consider using estriol cream (particularly if there are vaginal or urinary symptoms in addition to hot flashes). Estriol cream is a gentle, bioidentical estrogen primarily prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms like vaginal dryness, itching, and painful intercourse (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause). Because it is a weaker estrogen, it acts locally with minimal systemic absorption, making it a well-tolerated alternative to stronger estrogens
HRT and Menopause
I probably should add that hormone replacement therapy is back in vogue after a hiatus due to fear of carcinogenesis. HRT is a good solution for many. Bioidentical estrogen is preferable and is generally available. Estrogen does not automatically fix the problem. Between 10% and 25% of women being treated continue to have hot flashes.
If the above works, great!
If it doesn’t, come back and read the rest of the series
Because hot flashes aren’t just about menopause—they’re often telling you something about what’s happening inside your body. Insulin resistance, inflammation, fatty liver, stress hormones, poor sleep, thyroid function, nutrient deficiencies, and other metabolic changes can all influence when hot flashes begin, how severe they become, and how long they last.
Instead of simply asking, “What can I take?” let’s ask a better question:
What are my hot flashes trying to tell me?
Other articles in the series:
Your hot flashes may be trying to tell you that you have:
- Chronic inflammation
- Insulin resistance
- Fatty liver disease
- High stress hormones
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Poor sleep
- Nutrient deficiencies
Read these articles to learn more.
Selected References:
- European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology Volume 228, September 2018, Pages 295-302 Effect of omega-3 supplements on vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Support Cancer Ther. 2006 Jan 1;3(2):91-7. Dehydroepiandrosterone for the treatment of hot flashes: a pilot study
- Fertility and Sterility Volume 81, Supplement 2, March 2004, Pages 27-34 The use of black cohosh to treat symptoms of menopause
