Best Supplement for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
A healthy diet is rich in vegetables and fruits, lean protein, legumes and beans, healthy fats, and carbohydrates are one of the best ways to manage your hormones and reduce hot flashes symptoms. In this article, we are going to see the best supplement for hot flashes.
sometimes you need more, such as supplements, to keep your body strong and healthy. Furthermore, your nutrient requirements may change as you age, requiring more of some things (protein and calcium) and less of others (iron and folic acid).
However, the following supplements may be beneficial to some people:
- Black cohosh: This herbal supplement is commonly used to treat hot flashes. According to some studies, it may effectively reduce the frequency and severity of these symptoms.
- Soy isoflavones: Soy isoflavones are compounds in soy products that may help some women reduce hot flashes.
- Vitamin E: As previously stated, some research indicates that vitamin E supplements may help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.
- Flaxseed: Flaxseed contains lignans, which have been shown to help reduce hot flashes in some women.
- Red clover: Red clover is a herbal supplement that contains compounds that may help reduce hot flashes.
It is important to note that supplements should be used cautiously because they can interact with other medications and may not be suitable for everyone.
It is always best to consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any new supplements or making significant changes to your diet. Additionally, supplements should not be used instead of other treatments that may be required for underlying medical conditions.
Hot Flashes and night sweats are common symptoms that affect many people. According to statistics, about one-third of women who are perimenopausal (transitioning to menopause) experience night sweats and up to 85% of women experience night sweats during menopause. Night sweats also affect men. Although it is less common, around 3% of men experience night sweats due to low testosterone levels (a male hormone). Let’s understand more about night sweats and the remedies to manage them.
What are hot flashes?
Hot flash results from your brain thinking that your body has become overheated. It starts a chain reaction of events to try and cool the body down. The brain goes into a confused state and aggressively unleashes the cool-down process. Hot flashes are a prevalent symptom that is often associated with menopause. They are a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the body, usually starting in the head and face. A rapid heartbeat, sweat, and flushing can accompany hot flashes. Some people may also experience chills after a hot flash.
Approximately 55% of women experience hot flashes as they enter the transition phase toward menopause, indicated by the beginning of menstrual irregularity. These increases in incidence and severity as women enter menopause become most troublesome during the late menopause transition, followed by a gradual decline.
What are night sweats?
Night sweats, also known as sleep hyperhidrosis, are characterised by excessive sweating during the night. Various factors, including menopause, certain medical conditions, and certain medications, can cause them. Night sweats can also be a symptom of a severe condition such as an infection, cancer, or neurological disorder.
Causes of hot flashes and night sweats
- Causes of hot flashes
Hot flashes are a common symptom that is often associated with menopause, which is the time in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop and she is no longer able to become pregnant. During menopause, the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body begin to decline. These hormone changes can cause the blood vessels in the skin to dilate or expand, leading to hot flashes.
Hot flashes are caused by changes in the levels of hormones in the body, and a variety of factors, including stress, caffeine, alcohol and certain medications, can trigger them. Hot flashes can be uncomfortable, but they are usually not harmful. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, blood pressure, and medicines used to treat cancer. In addition, hot flashes can be a side effect of certain medical conditions, such as low blood sugar, infections, and certain types of cancer.
- Causes of night sweats
Various factors, including medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors, can cause night sweats. One of the most common causes of night sweats is hormonal changes in the body. Menopause is a significant cause of night sweats in women, as the body’s production of estrogen and progesterone decreases. This can lead to hot flashes and sweating during the night. In men, low testosterone levels can also lead to night sweats.
Certain medical conditions can also cause night sweats. Infections such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV, and endocarditis can all lead to night sweats. Cancer, particularly lymphoma and leukaemia, can also cause night sweats. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, blood pressure medications and hormone therapy, can also cause night sweats as a side effect. In some instances, Some people with neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, may experience night sweats.
Lifestyle factors can also contribute to night sweats. Alcohol and caffeine consumption, spicy foods or smoking before bed can also disrupt the body’s temperature regulation, leading to sweating at night. Obesity can also lead to night sweats, as excess weight can make it harder for the body to regulate its temperature.
Night sweats during menopause
Night sweats are a common symptom during menopause when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops, and her body goes through changes that mark the end of her reproductive years. This is caused by a decline in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that play a role in regulating the body’s temperature. As these levels drop, the body’s thermoregulatory system may become less efficient, causing hot flashes and night sweats.
During menopause, hot flashes and night sweats are often accompanied by other symptoms such as mood swings, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness. These symptoms can be severe and can have a significant impact on a woman’s quality of life.
Treatment options for night sweats during menopause include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can help to restore the balance of hormones in the body, as well as non-hormonal therapies such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and lifestyle changes (such as avoiding triggers, relaxation techniques, and maintaining a cool room temperature).
Night sweats can have a significant impact on quality of life. In addition to disrupting sleep, night sweats can lead to feelings of embarrassment and anxiety. They can also lead to skin irritation and infection and an increased risk of falls and accidents due to drenched sleepwear and bedding.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 35% of postmenopausal women reported experiencing night sweats. Another study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that 14% of men and women reported experiencing night sweats.
Remedies for hot flashes and night sweats
Treatment for hot flashes and night sweats will depend on the underlying cause. Hormonal changes can be treated with hormone replacement therapy, while infections and cancer require specific treatment for the underlying condition. If medication is causing night sweats, switching to a different medication or adjusting the dosage may be necessary. Lifestyle changes, like reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption and losing weight, can help alleviate both issues. Several remedies may help to relieve night sweats, including:
- Dress in layers: Wearing lightweight, breathable clothing can help regulate your body temperature and reduce the severity of hot flashes.
- Keep calm: Hot flashes can be triggered by warm environments, so keep your home and workspace cool. Use a fan or air conditioner, and avoid activities that generate heat, such as cooking or exercising during the hottest part of the day.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking fluids can help regulate your body temperature and prevent hot flashes. Aim for at least eight glasses of water per day.
- Lifestyle changes: Avoiding triggers such as spicy foods and caffeine and practising relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation may help to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night sweats.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): HRT can help restore the balance of hormones in the body, alleviating night sweats and other symptoms of menopause.
- Antidepressants: Some antidepressants can help to reduce hot flashes and night sweats by interacting with neurotransmitters in the brain.
- Clonidine: Clonidine is a medication primarily used to treat hypertension, but it has also been used to treat hot flashes and night sweats.
- Gabapentin: Gabapentin is a medication primarily used to treat seizures, but it has also been used to treat hot flashes and night sweats.
- Herbal supplements: Some herbal supplements, such as black cohosh, soy, and red clover, may help to alleviate night sweats, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness.
It’s essential to consult a doctor before taking any supplement, as they may interact with other medications or have side effects.
To sum up, about best supplements to intake for Hot flashes and night sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are prevalent conditions caused by various factors, including hormonal changes, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors. While hot flashes and night sweats can significantly impact the quality of life, and it’s important to note that they can be managed, you should start by consulting your doctor if you suspect you have these conditions.
