Hormones

8 Hot Flash Remedies Without a Prescription If intense, hot, and sweaty sensations have you kicking your sheets off in the middle of the night or frantically fanning yourself randomly throughout the day, you may be experiencing hot flashes. Known clinically as vasomotor symptoms, hot flashes can be caused by certain drugs and medical conditions, but the most common culprits are menopause and perimenopause. In fact, 75 to 80 percent of menopausal women will experience them. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and medications are often prescribed to help with hot flashes, relief may be possible with specific changes in lifestyle. Learn more about hot flashes, why they happen, and ways to help manage them. What Are Hot Flashes? Hot flashes are sudden and profound episodes of heat and often intense sweating that typically affect the upper body, particularly the face and chest. They’re common during menopause, which is officially reached once a woman has missed 12 consecutive periods. But women of reproductive age can experience hot flashes at any life stage, including the years leading up to menopause, a phase known as perimenopause. What does a hot flash feel like? Hot flashes don’t feel the same for everyone, but they’re often described as a sudden surge of heat or warmth that spreads through the upper body. For some people, hot flashes are just a minor nuisance that creates a few seconds of warmth; for others they can be intense, anxiety-inducing, and often accompanied by profuse sweating. How long do hot flashes last? While each episode only lasts a few seconds to a few minutes, hot flashes can be a recurring presence for a few years to more than a decade, and on average last longer for Black and Hispanic women. When do hot flashes start? In the United States, menopause typically starts between the ages of 45 and 55, with 52 being average, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). But perimenopause can start up to 10 years before menopause, meaning some women may begin experiencing hot flashes in their mid-30s. Why are hot flashes worse at night? Hot flashes aren’t worse at night, per se, but they can certainly feel that way. The body’s temperature naturally decreases during sleep, so when you’re awakened by hot flashes that can be swiftly followed by chills as the body quickly cools back down, the sensation can be especially jarring. Trying to fall back to sleep when you’re sweaty and wired can also make them feel worse than when they strike during the day. Hot flashes and night sweats Hot flashes and night sweats during menopause are essentially the same, except that night sweats are widely considered hot flashes that occur during sleep. Menopausal night sweats can cause all the same symptoms as daytime hot flashes and wake you from your sleep. You may awaken so drenched in sweat that you feel the need to change your sheets, your sleepwear, or both. Get relief from symptoms of hormonal imbalance — like hot flashes — with Belle Vitale, a complete lifestyle program. Click here to learn more. What Causes Hot Flashes? While hot flashes are most often attributed to menopause, there are a number of possible causes, each of which affects the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Since they can be triggered by certain medications and medical conditions, it’s important to speak to a healthcare professional if you’ve begun experiencing them. Hormonal changes Hot flashes are most often related to fluctuations in hormones, particularly a decrease in estrogen. Among its many functions, estrogen helps regulate body temperature, specifically cooling through the dissipation of heat. While researchers are still trying to understand the mechanisms involved, it’s believed that drops in estrogen affect the way the brain perceives temperature, causing the hypothalamus — our body’s internal thermostat — to malfunction. Misinterpreting normal body temperature as overheating, the hypothalamus widens the blood vessels (vasodilation) in the skin and sweat glands to disperse heat and cool the body. The result brings a surge of warm blood to the skin’s surface, which can create a flushed sensation and appearance. A drop in estrogen may be a symptom of menopause or perimenopause, or simply signify cyclical hormonal changes in the days leading up to or during your period. Medication side effects A number of drugs can cause hot flashes as a side effect of their use, particularly those that disrupt hormone levels. This can be an issue for both women and men. Types of pharmaceuticals that can cause hot flashes include: Opioids Steroids Certain antidepressants Chemotherapy drugs Some hormonal treatments Medical treatments Certain medical procedures can affect the production of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone, potentially leading to hot flashes. These include: Reproductive organ removal Radiation therapy Chemotherapy Thyroid function Hot flashes and increased perspiration are common when the thyroid gland isn’t functioning properly — particularly when it is producing too much thyroid hormone. Other symptoms may also appear, like palpitations and accelerated heart rate, anxiety, nervousness, and weight loss. Low blood glucose Science has found a relationship between hot flashes and blood sugar levels, in particular the period between meals when glucose levels dip most. Additionally, with an increase in time between meals came an increase in the frequency of hot flashes, suggesting a metabolic component to their rate, if not intensity. Researchers hypothesize that when blood sugar drops, the body may act to quickly deliver glucose to the brain, resulting in increased blood flow, sweating, and vasodilation, amounting to a sensation similar to a hot flash. This can be compounded by drops in estrogen, which helps regulate delivery of glucose to the brain. Can blood sugar spikes cause hot flashes? Research has also linked hot flashes and insulin sensitivity. In one study, high blood sugar and insulin levels were associated with more severe hot flashes in postmenopausal women. While the mechanism by which insulin sensitivity affects hormone levels isn’t fully understood, it’s believed that high blood sugar can awaken the sympathetic nervous system (the “fight-or-flight” response).

Here’s What Causes Irregular Periods and What You Can Do About Them When your menstrual cycle is unpredictable, it can be more than frustrating. Maybe your period surprised you by arriving early this month. Or it’s a week overdue, and you’re starting to have that late-period panic. Maybe your flow is suddenly heavier or lighter than normal, or your premenstrual symptoms are particularly intense. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Research suggests up to 25 percent of women deal with irregular periods. So what causes menstrual irregularities, and is there anything you can do to help get your cycle on track? Here’s what you need to know. Get relief from symptoms of hormonal imbalance — like irregular periods — with Belle Vitale, a complete lifestyle program. Click here to learn more. What Is Considered a Regular Period? Your menstrual cycle is measured from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period. The average cycle is right around 28 days — hence why it’s often called “that time of the month” — but anything between 21 and 45 days is considered a normal cycle length. In fact, only 10 to 15 percent of women have cycles that are exactly 28 days. At the start of each menstrual cycle, you’ll typically have your period for two to seven days. The average period lasts five days, with the heaviest flow on the first two days. That means the definition of a regular period can vary pretty widely from person to person. So instead of worrying about averages, track consistency. Whether you have a 25-day cycle or a 42-day cycle, as long as your period usually arrives like clockwork, that would be considered a regular period cycle. Some slight variations are normal. But if the length of your cycle changes every month, or your flow is unpredictable, or you suddenly skip a period, let your doctor know. Irregular periods can be a sign of an underlying health issue, so don’t just brush them off. Irregular Periods: Symptoms When your cycle deviates from its usual pattern, that’s considered an irregular period. Some common symptoms of an irregular menstrual cycle may include: Your cycle is shorter than 21 days or longer than 45 days. Your period is earlier or later than usual. Your period lasts for more than one week. Your cycle length changes each month, so you never really know when to expect your period. Your period is heavier or lighter than normal, or you experience bleeding between periods. Your PMS symptoms (like cramps, bloating, or headaches) feel worse than usual. You get two periods in one month. You skip a period. If you’re having irregular periods, let your doctor know — especially if you skip three or more periods in a row, or your cycle changes each month, or your periods last longer than a week. Causes of Irregular Periods​​ “Irregular periods can feel disruptive, but they’re often a sign of something your body is trying to tell you,” says Pamela Tambini, MD, an internal medicine physician and medical director at Engage Wellness. Here are a few factors that can lead to irregular periods. 1. Stress Research suggests stress can cause fluctuations in your menstrual cycle. “Stress involves the release of cortisol, which can interfere with the hormones responsible for regulating the menstrual cycle,” says Kecia Gaither, MD, FACOG, an OB/GYN and director of Perinatal Services and Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. “This disruption can lead to delayed or missed periods.” 2. Inflammation Inflammation can affect hormone production, Gaither says, which can lead to irregular periods. One study found that women with higher levels of inflammation markers were more than three times more likely to have cycles that were longer than 35 days when compared to women with low levels of inflammation. Inflammation can be caused by a number of factors, including injury, infection, diet, alcohol consumption, and certain medical issues. Consult a healthcare provider if you think you may be experiencing chronic inflammation. 3. Nutrition Nutrition can play a key role in maintaining healthy hormone balance and promoting regular periods. “Poor eating habits — like an imbalanced diet, excessive calorie restriction, or lack of nutrients — can impact hormonal imbalance,” Gaither says. 4. Weight changes “Significant weight gain can lead to hormonal imbalances — particularly increased estrogen levels — which may disrupt ovulation and cause irregular periods,” Tambini says. One study found that women with obesity were twice as likely to have irregular periods as women whose BMI fell into the healthy range. Women who are underweight may also experience disruptions to their menstrual cycle, including irregular or missed periods. 5. Too much or too little exercise A study of more than 2,600 Danish women found that those who were sedentary were 54 percent more likely to have irregular periods than those who were moderately active. But it’s also possible to have too much of a good thing — excessive exercise can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which may disrupt your menstrual cycle. 6. Medical conditions Underlying conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and certain thyroid issues can affect the menstrual cycle. If you suspect your irregular periods may be caused by a medical condition, or you’re experiencing any other worrisome symptoms, it’s important to talk to a doctor. 5 Ways to Help Regulate Periods Naturally​​​ If you’re dealing with irregular periods, a few simple lifestyle changes may help support hormone balance and regular periods naturally. “By focusing on healthy lifestyle habits, you can take steps toward restoring balance and improving your overall wellbeing,” Tambini says. “Simple lifestyle adjustments, like balancing rest, exercise, and nutrition, often help restore regular cycles.” Here are five tips that can help support menstrual regularity. 1. Try a mindfulness meditation exercise If you’re wondering how to regulate your period naturally, a little stress relief can go a long way. “Practices like deep breathing and yoga can lower cortisol levels,” Tambini says. As an added bonus, research suggests deep