May Cigarettes Smoking Trigger Early Menopause?

Cigarette smoking is bad for the health. But for women, it may cause additional negative side effects, associated with triggering the earlier onset of menopause. Multiple studies have confirmed that tobacco smoking can actually affect the timing of the onset of menopause, the intensity of the symptoms of menopause, and the incidence of osteoporosis after menopause.

Women who smoke need to recognize these risks and do their best to kick the habit.

Massachusetts General Hospital Study

Menopause occurs when the ovaries cease to produce estrogen. A gene, Bax, and a genetic receptor, Ahr, are responsible for the onset of menopause when they become activated. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered that the chemicals in smoking directly activate these genetic components, creating what they call a “specific pathway” to killing ovarian cells.

It has been found that women who smoke more than ten cigarettes a day are 40 percent more likely to go into menopause early than nonsmokers. As was generally observed by the result of the study, women who smoke will enter menopause one to two years earlier.

University of Oslo, Norway, Study

Some interesting results were received by Norwegian scientists, who tried to review multiple factors as potential triggers for the menopause to strike earlier than expected statistically. Here are the important findings of the study:

• The study showed substantial association between current smoking and early onset of menopause, and that the earlier a woman stops smoking, the more protection she derives with respect to an early onset of menopause.
• While female smokers increase their risks to escalate the menopause onset, the study did not find any relationship between passive exposure to smoking and early menopause.
• No association was revealed between early menopause and alcohol or coffee consumption.

University of Hong Kong Study

The most recent study, which was carried in the journal Menopause, pooled data from several previous studies that included about 6,000 women in the United States, Poland, Turkey and Iran.

The researchers concluded that while non-smokers hit menopause between age 46 and 51, on average, in all but two of the reviewed previous studies, smokers were younger when they hit menopause, between 43 and 50 overall.

"Our results give further evidence that smoking is significantly associated with earlier (age at menopause) and provide yet another justification for women to avoid this habit," wrote study author Volodymyr Dvornyk, from the University of Hong Kong.

Dvornyk and his colleagues also analyzed five other studies that used a cut-off age of 50 or 51 to group women into "early" and "late" menopause. Out of more than 43,000 women in that analysis, women who smoked were 43 percent more likely than nonsmokers to have early menopause.

Both early and late menopause factors have been linked to health risks. Women who hit menopause late, for instance, are thought to be at higher risk of breast cancer because one risk factor for the disease is more time exposed to estrogen.

"General consensus is that earlier menopause is likely to be associated with the larger number and higher risk of postmenopausal health problems, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, and others," explained Dvornyk. Overall, he added, early menopause is also thought to slightly raise a woman's risk of death in the years following.

There are two theories for why smoking might mean earlier menopause, said Jennie Kline, an epidemiologist from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health in New York. Smoking make have an effect on how women's bodies make, or get rid of, estrogen. Alternatively, some researchers believe certain components of cigarette smoke might kill eggs, added Kline, who was not involved in the study.

Dvornyk's team did not have information on how long women had been smoking or how many cigarettes they smoked each day, so his team could not determine how either of those factors may have affected age at menopause. For that reason, and a lack of data on other health and lifestyle factors linked to menopause, the analysis may not be enough to resolve lingering questions on the link between smoking and menopause, they said.

Alcohol, weight and whether or not women have given birth may each also play a role in when they hit menopause, but the evidence for everything other than smoking has been mixed, Kline said. It is also possible that the same factors that influence age at menopause may determine whether women have trouble with infertility or not, or how late they can get pregnant.

Conclusion

While there is a definite connection between smoking and menopause, but can smoking indeed cause early menopause? "Smoking can cause a woman to go through menopause a year or two earlier, but it isn't going to push a woman into menopause before the age of 40," says Geoffrey Redmond, MD, director of the Hormone Center of New York. So, in other words, smoking may cause the earlier menopause, but is unlikely to cause the early menopause in strict scientific terms.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.lbfmd.com/whs_menopause_211_8051.pdf

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/7/149

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/17/us-menopause-smoking-idUSTRE79G08Q20111017

http://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/early-menopause.aspx

http://www.catherinepickenmd.net/early-menopause-linked-to-smoking.html

Dry and Itchy Skin: Menopause Symptoms

Overview

During menopause, skin drying is very common due to hormone decline and loss. The skin's inability to produce essential oils also results in the itchy, tight feeling on the skin of your body and face. Regularly exfoliating, incorporating high fatty acids into your daily diet and taking warm, instead of hot, showers are simple and effective ways to ease the dry, itching feeling.

Our Skin

Before getting to the details of this quite annoying menopause symptom, let’s review brief, what exactly our skin is, and how it can be affected by the menopausal changes in our body. Skin is the largest organ in our body, and one of the most important. There are three main layers in our skin.

Epidermis - is the top or outer layer. It does not have any blood vessels in it. It basically consists of dead skin cells and it is designed to protect the delicate living cells of the deeper layers.

Epidermis needs to stay constantly moisturized to protect the deeper layers; that is why natural oils are produced. When the natural oil is stripped from the outer layer of skin, the moisture quickly evaporates leaving the skin dry and itchy.

The dead skin cells replenish themselves periodically. When we are young, this outer layer replaces itself very often, giving us fresh, healthy looking skin. When we age, the process of exfoliation (the top cells wear away, new cells grow beneath to replace them, and so on) is much slower, and the skin begins to look more tired and worn.

Dermis - is the second layer. This layer has blood vessels, which provide blood to that upper Epidermis layer. The Dermis is a permanent layer of skin, it does not replenish itself and it cannot be reached by cosmetics. It contains the elastin and collagen, forming the structure of the skin. This layer stays elastic or gets saggy, causing wrinkles or firmness in your skin's look.

Hypodermis - is the lower layer. This layer contains main blood vessels, sweat glands and hair follicles.

Dry Skin and Menopause

Loss of estrogen, brought about by menopause, is the primary cause of skin sensitivity during this life phase as estrogen is responsible for stimulating of production of skin-smoothing collagen and oils. That's why, as menopause approaches and estrogen production diminishes, dry, itchy skin becomes very common, says Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery.

That reduction of estrogen, and the changing ratios of hormones in your body don't just slow down your body's oil production, they also reduce your body's ability to retain moisture.

While a parched t-zone or flakey elbows may be the first places you notice the changes, "it really is a whole-body phenomenon," says Tanzi, with dry skin appearing just about anywhere, from the oil-gland-dense face, back, and chest, to elbows, legs, genitals -- even nails.

In addition to the chief symptom of dryness and itchiness, skin changes in menopause can also produce the following symptoms:

• Small bumps on the skin.
• Red or irritated skin.
• Skin rush.
• Abnormal touch sensations.

The changes to your skin can start as early as perimenopause, and they're permanent, Tanzi says. Fortunately, easing the itch and combating the dry skin associated with menopause is largely in your hands.

Other Causes of Dry and Itchy Skin during Menopause

While hormonal changes are the most common cause of itchy skin around the time of menopause, other medical conditions can be responsible for itchy skin. While these are rare causes, they are important to be aware of, particularly in cases where itchy skin is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.

Among the most probable causes are:

• Hypothyroidism
• Fungal Infection
• Diabetes
• Skin cancer
• Vitamin Deficiencies
• Herpes
• Drug side effects
• Drug abuse or withdrawal
  

Women concerned about the causes of itchy skin and those who experience other worrisome symptoms are advised to speak with a qualified dermatologist or other medical professional. Fortunately, itchy skin in menopause can often be successfully managed with self care and natural treatments.

Treatment of Dry and Itchy Skin

Treating itchy skin in menopause often requires a number of self care techniques. Most doctors advise against invasive and risky medical or hormonal treatments for itchy skin during menopause. However, many experts recommend that women combine lifestyle changes with natural treatments, which are often safe and effective in providing itchy skin relief.

There are selected tips on how to deal with dry and itchy skin issues during menopause:

• Good diet: Essential fatty acids -- like the omega-3s found in salmon, walnuts, fortified eggs, or algae oils -- help produce your skin's oil barrier, vital in keeping skin hydrated. A diet short of these body-boosting fats can leave skin dry, itchy, and prone to acne. Adequate vitamin B intake is also crucial to skin health.
• Skin protection from Sun: Keep skin healthy with "a broad spectrum sunblock with an SPF of 15 or higher," says Andrea Cambio, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Cape Coral, Fla. Dry skin, wrinkles, moles, and skin cancers can all result from too much sun, so add a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection to your line of defense. Aim for about an ounce to cover all sun-exposed skin.
• Increase water intake: This will help to hydrate the skin from the inside out. But do not abuse your body by drinking too much of water, and do not fall to the 8x8 popular medical scam. Drink only when you are thirsty, but if are thirsty, do not delay the necessary water intake.
• Avoid hot showers: Because hot water can be harsh and drying, experts advise taking shorter showers using warm water. Also, preserve those natural oils by scrubbing with soap only in the spots you really need it, like your underarms, feet, and groin. Because your legs, back, and arms don't usually get very dirty, skip the soap and stick to a warm-water wash for these areas.
• Use gentle, non-irritating soaps: Scented, antibacterial, or deodorant soaps can be harsh, removing your body's essential oils, leaving skin even more itchy and dry. Instead, reach for an unscented or lightly scented bar.
• Moisturize after showers: Within a few minutes after your warm shower, smooth on your favorite moisturizer. Mineral oil and petroleum jelly are both excellent and inexpensive skin moisturizers. To help moisturizers penetrate the skin, experts also suggest exfoliating -- sloughing off the top layer of dead skin -- with a gentle scrubbing or by using products containing alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids. If you are still dealing with itchy skin and menopause, then you can try castor oil. To give the castor oil a nice, refreshing scent, you can purchase small bottles or vials of things like peppermint or lavender.
• Avoid other irritants: Avoiding smoke, excess sun exposure, stress, and lack of sleep can also help to manage itchy skin.
• Exercise: Exercise, which is important in menopause for heart and bone health, can keep skin healthy as well.  By increasing the amount of nutrients and oxygen that make it to your skin, exercise, like estrogen, can increases collagen, one of the key substances that keeps our skin youthful.

Alternative Medicine

Alternative approaches involve little to no risk and can be an extremely effective way to treat all menopause symptoms, including the skin related problems. This level of approach can involve several different therapies. Herbal supplements are the most prominent, though in addition women may turn to such menopause treatments as acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, aromatherapy, or hypnosis. All of these treatments can be valid and effective, though most women find that herbal supplements are the easiest menopause treatment to follow, as the other menopause treatments require a greater time and monetary commitment. In addition, herbal supplements are the only viable option to treat the hormonal imbalance directly at its source.

In the case of herbal supplements, there are two types of herbs that can be used for treating the 34 menopause symptoms: phytoestrogenic and non-estrogenic herbs.

Phytoestrogenic herbs (e.g. Black Cohosh) contain estrogenic components produced by plants. These herbs, at first, provide a menopause treatment for hormonal imbalance by introducing these plant-based estrogens into the body. However, this menopause treatment adds outside hormones, a womanґs body may become less capable of producing estrogen on its own. This causes a further decrease of body-own hormone levels.          

By contrast, non-estrogenic herbs, as the name suggests, don't contain any estrogen. These herbs provide the menopause treatment of stimulating a woman’s hormone production by nourishing the pituitary and endocrine glands, causing them to more efficiently produce natural hormones. This menopause treatment ultimately results in balancing not only estrogen, but also progesterone and testosterone. Non-estrogenic herbs (e.g. Macafem) can be considered the safest way to treat all menopause symptoms naturally as the body creates its own hormones and doesn’t require any outside assistance.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/521255-menopause-dry-or-itchy-skin/

http://www.my-menopause-solutions.com/skin-problems.html

http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/itchy-skin.htm

http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/treatments.htm

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/menopause-dry-skin-hormone-connection

http://www.menopauseatoz.com/itchy-skin-menopause.shtml

16 Recommendations on How to Improve your Sex Life after Menopause

Some women falsely believe in the wide-spread misconception that menopause signals the end of their sex lives. Nothing could be further from the truth, and there are no reasons to believe that the sexual life is over. Yes, menopause means the end of female fertility, but, by no means, it is not the end of a woman being a sexual being that requires intimacy and affection. The simple biological and psychological fact of the matter is that female orgasm can be reached long after your menopause.

Why sex life may be better after menopause?

There is absolutely no reason why a woman cannot continue to enjoy a happy and satisfying sex life during and after the menopause, if she wants to. There is overwhelming medical and statistical data that many women enjoy wonderful sex lives after they’ve passed the menopause – and continue to do so for a very long time. There is some factual evidence that:

• Women who are interested in sex are more likely to be orgasmic after the menopause than younger females.
• These women are also more likely to be multi-orgasmic!

There are multiple reasons for that, and we will just mention several of them:

1. After the menopause many women are glad to be able to quit worrying about contraception.
2. By the time they reach 50 or so, a lot of women have gained a great deal of love-making experience and skill.
3. Very often, by the time menopause came, they have already steady, or not so steady, but in any case, quite experienced partners who actually know what they’re doing in bed!
4. The kids are grown and out of the house, so lovers are thrilled that the empty nest has been reclaimed as their love nest.

Menopause can mean different things for different people. And while some may experience a decrease in sex drive, other women find that with the right mindset, their sex drive may actually increase. For some women, there is a burst of adrenaline that can encourage you to try new things, change your mindset and live through your 50s, 60s and beyond with vigor and an adventurous mindset.

In one of the recent studies performed by Christine Webber, it was conducted a survey among women aged 45-65. The findings showed that in that age group 26 per cent of women were definitely up for sex, while 29 per cent “quite liked it”. Only 6 per cent were not at all keen, and 16 per cent said that they’d be more interested if they had a new partner!

As stated by the National Institute of Health, some women actually feel liberated post-menopause, even reporting an increased interest in sex. In a 2000 study published in the “Journal of Women’s Health & Gender-Based Medicine,” 65 percent of women between the ages of 51 and 64, and 74 percent of women over 65 engage in sexual activity at least once a week!

The general concept confirmed by many researchers, is simple. The best predictor of having a good sex life after menopause is having a good sex life before menopause. Women who are happy with their premenopausal sex life are a lot more likely to be able to maintain that satisfaction post menopause.

Sex life challenges after menopause

While there are reasons to claim that the sex life after menopause can be better, there are definitely some challenges on the way, mostly associated with general menopause symptoms, occasionally painful and inconvenient. We are reviewing the menopausal symptoms in other section of this blog, but here we will list some briefly, as they are directly related to the sex life:

• Lack of desire. The simple fact of the matter is that libido can decrease incredibly with menopause. The hormonal changes that take place during this time of life tend to make sexual desire drop a whole lot.
• Vaginal pain and dryness. When estrogen levels decrease, vaginal dryness is quite common. Unfortunately, this can lead to painful intercourse.
• Weight gain. The weight gain that can sometimes go along with the menopausal stage might add to a feeling of lack of attractiveness.
• Urinary Incontinence. Involuntary loss of urine can occur at any age but, after the age of sixty-five, 10 percent of the population experiences mild to severe leakage. There are different types of incontinence, but by far the most common in women is stress or “giggle” incontinence, in which sudden movements or vigorous activity—such as sex—can result in leaks. Urinary leaks can be disconcerting, and the possibility of this happening during sex can cause some women to avoid partner sex altogether.
• Feeling changes. Arousal and orgasm might be harder to attain after menopause arrives. The hormonal changes are generally to blame for this.
• Fatigue. Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings and irritability can all add up to fatigue. This can quite often add to a reduced sexual drive. Extremely tired people don't necessarily have the greatest interest in intercourse.

How to enjoy your sex life after menopause?

While there are obstacles that stand in the way of having fulfilling sexual relationship after menopause, each of them can be overcome in one form or fashion. Women who want to enjoy normal sexual activity following menopause will find certain steps they take can help. These include:

1.       Letting go of the "taboo". Just because menopause has arrived, doesn't mean a sex life needs to be over. Couples can be and very likely should remain intimate. Unless there is a medical condition that prevents sexual activity, taboo need not apply here.

2.       Positive self-image. Women who work to retain their self-esteem and take menopause with the right attitude tend to do a bit better embracing sex after its arrival. It might take a little time to get used to the changes, but rest assured it can be done. The right attitude can go a long way in helping increase libido and arousal possibilities. You need to believe that you’re sexually desirable. Maintaining positive body image is a huge part of this.

3.       Engaging in healthy lifestyle. One of the best ways to amplify your libido is to work on your health first, which means increasing how much exercise you are getting. If you are unhealthy physically or emotionally, sex drive will certainly suffer. Having energy from a healthy diet and regular exercise, along with good sleep and mental health, are key ingredients in a healthy sex drive. Reduce alcohol consumption to the reasonable daily amount and stop smoking.

4.       Alternative Medicines. In the case of herbal remedies, there are two types of herbs that can be used for treating loss of libido: phytoestrogenic and non-estrogenic herbs. Phytoestrogenic herbs (e.g. Black Cohosh) contain estrogenic components produced by plants. These herbs, at first, do treat the hormonal imbalance by introducing these plant-based estrogens into the body. However, as a result of adding outside hormones, a woman’s body may become less capable of producing estrogen on its own. This causes a further decrease of the body’s own hormone levels. By contrast, non-estrogenic herbs don't contain any estrogen. These herbs stimulate a woman’s hormone production by nourishing the pituitary and endocrine glands, causing them to more efficiently produce natural hormones. This ultimately results in balancing not only estrogen, but also testosterone. Non-estrogenic herbs (e.g. Macafem) can be considered the safest way to treat loss of libido naturally as the body creates its own hormones and doesn’t require any outside assistance.

5.       Compensating for the estrogen loss. Hormone replacement therapy may or may not be the answer, but there are other options, too. Lubricants can help with the pain and dryness. Kegel exercises are useful for helping the body retain its muscle tone and can even help in the production of natural lubricants. This helps not only with urge incontinence but also strengthens the muscles that support the pelvic organs. There are other more or less medically proven solutions to help with your hormonal misbalance:

·         Hormone Creams: Hormone creams that contain estrogen can be applied to the vagina in order to increase blood flow. This blood flow should allow for increased sensitivity and easier orgasm.

·         Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): HRT is still viewed by some professionals as the most successful menopause treatment. However, lately research has yielded conflicting results regarding its effectiveness. Estrogen can, however, make intercourse less painful by treating vaginal dryness and can help reduce other symptoms that may be complicating your sex life.

·         Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): New research suggests that testosterone plays a major role in the female sex drive. A new testosterone patch has been shown to improve sex drive in women by up to 75%. This patch is not yet approved, but similar testosterone therapy is available. Side effects can include increased cancer risk, rapid hair growth, and a deepened voice.

6.       Educate yourself about your body. Educate yourself about your anatomy, sexual function, and the normal changes associated with aging, as well as sexual behaviors and responses. This may help you overcome your anxieties about sexual function and performance.

7.       Time for intimacy. Scheduling sex into your calendar may seem contrived and boring. But making intimacy a priority can help put your sex drive back on track.

8.       Touching and intimacy. After the menopause, touching and intimacy can sometimes become more important than the physical pleasure of penetrative sex. This need to touch and be touched, physically and emotionally, is well worth nurturing. Such contact offers reassurance and comfort and the opportunity to show tenderness, companionship and love.

9.       Communication. Talk to your partner and let him or her know about any issues or changes. Many lovers want to be supportive and in-the-know, but are often too shy to ask. Allow your partner to be part of the process, especially when it comes to your better sex efforts. Practice and experiment with more non-coital behaviors (physically stimulating activity that does not include intercourse), such as sensual massage, dancing, and sensual touching. These activities can be used to promote comfort and increase communication between you and your partner.

10.    Using erotic materials. Many sex therapists recommend the use of filmed or written erotica to encourage sexual interest, and erotic material is readily available for every taste and interest.

11.    Masturbation. Pleasuring yourself regularly can keep her vagina sexually “fit,” as in flexible and suppler. Exercising your pelvic floor muscles on a regular basis can further make for healthy muscle tone. Remember that it is a self-affirming sexual activity and is eminently useful in helping to discover different routes to sexual pleasure. In national studies, up to 40 percent of women report that they masturbate on a regular basis, but this incidence may be lower for older women. Many older women, raised in more conservative cultures, may remember being discouraged (or even punished) for masturbating as children, and may still be reluctant to engage in this pleasurable sexual activity. Ultrasound images have captured male and female fetuses masturbating in the uterus; these images confirm that masturbation is an innate and entirely normal part of sex!

12.    Clitoris stimulation. The majority of women over age 50, and many under 50, cannot climax with penile-vaginal lovemaking because the vagina is not the source of an orgasm, the clitoris is. It takes continual and prolonged stimulation of the clitoris for older women to achieve an orgasm. A vibrator can provide this stimulation if other techniques are not effective.

13.    Increased foreplay. Menopausal women might require extra stimulation to achieve arousal. Increased foreplay, cuddling and coaxing when mixed with proper lubricants can go a very long way. This can also help with the attainment of orgasm after menopause. The truth is achieving an orgasm might be harder than it once was, but it is not at all out of the question. Also, for many postmenopausal women, the fact that their husbands take longer to reach a climax becomes a bonus; it makes love-making far more enjoyable than when they were younger and everything seemed to be over in a matter of breathless seconds. This more prolonged love-making can provide time for both partners to explore new sensations and enjoy a variety of feelings.

14.    Experimenting. This may involve using a vibrator for more direct and intense stimulation to elevate arousal. Couples will also want to try positions offering greater comfort, like spooning, or ones where she’s more in charge, like woman-on-top.

15.    Having regular sex. Doing so helps to prevent the pain from thinning vaginal walls, which can become severe with menopause and aging.

16.    Getting engaged in couples’ therapy. If your sex life is not what you want it to be, get help from professionals. You might need to deal proactively with non-sexual social and relationship issues that may be negatively affecting your sexual health. Open dialogue with your partner, often guided by a therapist, can bring to the surface medical, psychological, and behavioral issues that might be contributing to the problem. Sex therapy sessions have to be attended by the couple for maximum benefits. They may significantly improve sex after menopause.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.menopauseatoz.com/orgasm-after-menopause.shtml

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/womenshealth/facts/sexmenopause.htm

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,522658,00.html

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Sex-Relationships/Sex/The-Truth-about-Sex-after-Menopause.html

http://www.epigee.org/menopause/sexdrive.html

http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/loss-libido-treatments.htm

Hot Flashes: Menopause Symptoms Relief

Hot Flashes Symptoms

Hot flashes feel as a sudden wave of mild or intense body heat caused by rushes of hormonal changes resulting from decreased levels of estrogen in female body. They are due to blood vessel opening and constricting and a symptom of menopause.

Hot flashes are episodes that are experienced by many, but not all, women undergoing menopause. A hot flash is a feeling of warmth, sometimes associated with flushing that spreads over the body and sometimes followed by perspiration. Menstruating women in their 40's may have hot flashes, and hot flashes may last for a decade or more in some women. There is no way to predict when they will cease in a given woman. They decrease in frequency over time.

During a hot flash, sensations of heat move up your waist, chest, neck, and face. Perspiration that you exude during your hot flash will soon cool you down, causing you to experience rapid chills all over your body. Typically, a hot flash last only a couple of minutes, however, some unfortunate women can experience hot flashes lasting up to 30 minutes. Women can experience as many as 15 hot flashes in one day, but typically hot flashes occur 2 to 4 hours apart during menopause.

When you're having a hot flash, you may experience:

• A feeling of pressure in your head as the hot flash begins
• A feeling of mild warmth to intense heat spreading through your upper body and face
• A flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin on your face, neck and upper chest
• Rapid heartbeat
• Perspiration, mostly on your upper body
• A chilled feeling as the hot flash subsides

Less common symptoms associated with hot flashes include:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Faintness
• Dizziness

Reasons for Hot Flashes

Exact cause of hot flashes isn't known, but the signs and symptoms point to factors affecting the function of your body's thermostat — the hypothalamus. This area at the base of your brain regulates body temperature and other basic processes. The estrogen reduction you experience during menopause may disrupt hypothalamic function, leading to hot flashes. So, hot flashes may have more to do with fluctuation of hormone levels as opposed to low hormone levels per se.  

Low estrogen alone doesn't often seem to induce hot flashes, as children and women with low levels of estrogen due to medical conditions usually don't experience hot flashes. Instead, the withdrawal of estrogen, as happens during menopause, appears to be the trigger.

As estrogen and progesterone levels drop during menopause, the body produces more of a brain hormone called gonadotropin hormone (GnRH) in order to force fertility. GnRH is also responsible for regulating heat sensors in the brain. When higher levels of GnRH are present, the body mistakenly thinks that it is overheating. It attempts to cool itself down by opening blood vessels in the head and neck, which causes perspiration.

Sweaty Side Effects

The most obvious side effect of hot flashes is the sweating! The amount of sweat that your body produces during a hot flash will vary depending on your stage of menopause, your diet, and any medications that you are taking. Some women get away with just a sweaty lip while others feel like they've run 10 miles in a fur coat! If your transition between perimenopause and menopause is fairly quick, you can probably expect your symptoms to be a little worse.

Hot flashes can cause you to feel more than just sticky though. It's not unusual to feel completely exhausted, as though all your energy has been zapped for as much as an hour after a hot flash. On top of that, hot flashes often occur at night, making it impossible to get a good night's sleep.

Hot flashes leave a lot of women feeling very anxious because they are hard to predict. Though you may feel embarrassed if you have a hot sweat at a restaurant, at a friend's house, or during that big board meeting, remember: most women will go through this at some stage in their life. No one will judge you over a little sweat.

Risk Factors

Not all women who go through menopause experience hot flashes. Although it's not clear why some women get hot flashes and others don't, the following factors increase your risk of hot flashes:

• Smoking. Women who smoke are more likely to get hot flashes.
• Obesity. A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher frequency of hot flashes.
• Physical inactivity. If you don't exercise, you're more likely to have hot flashes during menopause.
• Ethnicity. More African-American women report menopausal hot flashes than do women of European descent. Hot flashes are less common in women of Japanese and Chinese descent than in white European women.

Lifestyle Tips

Here are some tips to help dealing with hot flashes:

• Know your triggers. Keep a daily record of your hot sweats, including how long they last and when they occur. Certain foods often exacerbate hot sweats especially spicy foods, hot drinks, and alcohol.
• Keep cool. Slight increases in your body's core temperature can trigger hot flashes. Dress in layers so that you can remove outer clothing when you feel too warm. Open a window or use a fan or air conditioner to keep air flowing. Lower the room temperature, if you can. If you feel a hot flash coming on, sip a cold drink. Avoid hot baths, spring showers and steam baths, esp. before bedtime. Have cool showers, instead.
• Use cotton bed linens. Cotton is more breathable and absorbent than other fabrics. It will keep you cooler at night and help you get a great rest.
• Watch your diet. Drink lots of water and juice and keep a cool drink by your bed.  Many foods are thought to contribute to or worsen discomfort from hot flashes. Alcohol, caffeine, excess sugar, dairy products, meat products and spicy foods rank among the top aggravators of severe hot flashes as well as mood swings.
• Relax! Learn yoga, listen to music, or engage in quiet meditation.
• Breathe deeply. Deep, slow abdominal breathing (paced respiration) may decrease hot flashes. It takes some practice to perfect the technique, but paced respiration done for 15 minutes twice daily, or at the beginning of a hot flash, can be helpful. To practice paced respiration, begin by sitting comfortably. Breathe in deeply for five seconds, pushing your stomach muscles out. Exhale for five seconds, pulling your stomach muscles in and up. Repeat this cycle of breathing deeply in and out until you feel calm and relaxed.
• Stop smoking. Smoking is linked to increased hot flashes. By not smoking, you may reduce hot flashes, as well as your risk of many serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Medications

Menopause is a natural transition. If hot flashes don't interfere with your life, you don't need treatment. If it's necessary to ease your symptoms with treatment, periodically re-evaluate your need for continuing that treatment. For most women, hot flashes fade gradually within a few years.

Hormone therapy

For moderate to severe hot flashes, your doctor may recommend hormone therapy. Estrogen therapy is the most effective treatment for hot flashes, but in some instances, doctors might prescribe progesterone therapy instead.

• Estrogen therapy. If you've had a hysterectomy, you can take estrogen alone. But if your reproductive organs are still intact, you should take progesterone along with estrogen to protect against cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). With either regimen, current recommendations are to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time needed to relieve symptoms.

Before starting estrogen therapy for menopause symptoms, review your heart-disease risk factors with your doctor and weigh the benefits of symptom relief against the risk — remote but recognized — of developing heart disease as a result. It's likely that hormone therapy interacts with other factors — timing and length of hormone use, reproductive history and family history, for example — to increase this risk, but there's no way to know what's safest for you individually. Your doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons.

Estrogen therapy is not a good option if you've ever had a blood clot or breast cancer.

• Progesterone therapy. As an alternative for women who can't take estrogen, some doctors prescribe progesterone alone to control hot flashes. Two progesterone-like drugs, megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate, have been found to provide some relief from hot flashes.

Other prescription medications

If you decide against estrogen or progesterone therapy, your doctor may suggest a non-hormonal medication for reducing hot flashes. These medications aren't approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically to treat hot flashes, but they are approved for treating other conditions.

• Antidepressants. Low doses of certain antidepressants may decrease hot flashes. Antidepressants from classes of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) — including venlafaxine (Effexor), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) and others — have been found to relieve hot flashes. However, these medications aren't as effective as hormone therapy for severe hot flashes and may cause unwanted side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, weight gain or sexual dysfunction. Talk with your doctor about whether the benefits outweigh the potential side effects for you.
• Gabapentin. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is a medication approved for treating seizures or pain associated with shingles. It's also increasingly used to treat various other types of pain. Gabapentin may be moderately effective in reducing hot flashes, particularly for women who have symptoms at night. Side effects can include drowsiness, dizziness and headaches.
• Clonidine. Clonidine, a pill or patch typically used to treat high blood pressure, may provide some relief from hot flashes. Side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation are common, sometimes limiting the medication's usefulness for treating hot flashes.

Diet, Vitamins, and Natural Remedies

Soy Products

Several researches suggest that soy may have some benefit for reducing hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. However, it is strongly recommended that you get your soy from foods rather than from supplements. Foods that contain soy include tofu, tempeh, miso, soy milk, whole soybeans, texturized vegetable protein, and soy powder.

Vitamin E

A study published in Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation found that Vitamin E may help reduce the occurrence and severity of hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. However, a placebo-controlled, randomized study evaluated vitamin E supplements (800 IU/day for four weeks) for 120 breast cancer survivors with hot flashes and found that vitamin E only marginally decreased hot flashes.

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa)

This herb has received quite a bit of scientific attention for its possible effects on hot flashes. Studies of its effectiveness in reducing hot flashes have produced mixed results. However, some women report that it has helped them. Recent research suggests that black cohosh does not act like estrogen, as once thought. This reduces concerns about its effect on hormone-sensitive tissue (eg, uterus, breast). Black cohosh has had a good safety record over a number of years. There have been some reports linking black cohosh to liver problems, but this has not been proven.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

In five controlled studies, no consistent or conclusive evidence was found that red clover leaf extract reduces hot flashes. As with black cohosh, however, some women claim that red clover has helped them. Studies report few side effects and no serious health problems with use. But studies in animals have raised concerns that red clover might have harmful effects on hormone-sensitive tissue.

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus castus)

Similar to black cohosh, chasteberry appears to act like a progesterone and  has been used in Europe for many years to alleviate PMS symptoms as well as menopausal symptoms. It may help diminish both LH and FSH and appears to affect your pituitary function. Different studies have found that it reduced menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes and irregular bleeding. And it appears to be very helpful for breast tenderness, primarily because chasteberry suppresses prolactin production. Typically, it takes about three to four weeks notice results.  One note, however:  While chasteberry is widely used in Europe, there have been no double-blind placebo studies conducted on it.

Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis)

Dong quai has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat gynecologic conditions for more than 1,200 years. Yet only one randomized clinical study of dong quai has been conducted to determine its effects on hot flashes, and this botanical therapy was not found to be useful in reducing them. Some experts on Chinese medicine point out that the preparation studied was not the same as they use in practice. Dong quai should never be used by women with fibroids or blood-clotting problems such as hemophilia, or by women taking drugs that affect clotting such as warfarin (Coumadin) as bleeding complications can result.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng or Panax quinquefolius)

Research has shown that ginseng may help with some menopausal symptoms, such as mood symptoms and sleep disturbances, and with one's overall sense of well-being. However, it has not been found to be helpful for hot flashes.

Kava (Piper methysticum)

Kava may decrease anxiety, but there is no evidence that it decreases hot flashes. It is important to note that kava has been associated with liver disease. The FDA has issued a warning to patients and providers about kava because of its potential to damage the liver.

Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis)

This botanical is also promoted to relieve hot flashes. However, the only randomized, placebo-controlled study (in only 56 women) found no benefit over placebo (mock medication). Reported side effects include inflammation, problems with blood clotting and the immune system, nausea, and diarrhea. It has been shown to induce seizures in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who are taking antipsychotic medication. Evening primrose oil should not be used with anticoagulants or phenothiazines (a type of psychotherapeutic agent).

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7322

http://www.epigee.org/menopause/hot_flashes.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hot-flashes/DS01143/

http://www.menopause.org/hotflashes.aspx

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/hotflashes/a/nomorehotflashs.htm