Hot Flashes

Hot Flashes

A symptom complex afflicting 80–85% of middle-aged women, first occurring during perimenopause, continuing with decreased intensity for years, appearing as transient waves of erythaema and uncomfortable warmth beginning in the upper chest, face and neck, followed by fine sweating and chills. Hot flashes are precipitated by emotional stress, meals and environmental cues, and are more intense if ovaries are surgically removed than if the decline of ovarian function is less abrupt
Mechanism Hot flashes are attributed to central alpha2-adrenergic activity
Aetiology Idiopathic, due to response of autonomic nervous system to decreased oestrogens; they are responsible for osteoporosis, atrophy of vaginal epithelium, leukorrhea and pruritus
Management While hormones—e.g., oestrogens in women and androgens in men—ameliorate symptoms of age-related hormonal decline, they are contraindicated in women with breast cancer, and in men with prostate cancer; megestrol acetate decreases hot flashes by 85%—vs. 20% with placebos. Oestrogen replacement ‘drives’ proliferation of endometrial tissue, which may result in adenomatous hyperplasia and occasionally endometrial carcinoma
Note: Hot flashes occur in eunuchs and in most men who have been acutely deprived of testosterone as in castration, a therapeutic modality for advanced prostate carcinoma; diethylstilbestrol may stop the flashes, but exacerbates cardiovascular disease and blood clots; in Europe, cyproterone acetate is used

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hot flashes

Hot flush Gynecology A symptom afflicting 80-85% of middle-aged ♀, first occurring during the perimenopause, continuing with ↓ intensity for yrs, manifesting itself as transient waves of erythema and uncomfortable warmth beginning in the upper chest, face and neck, followed by fine sweating and chills; HFs are precipitated by emotional stress, meals and environmental cues, and are more intense if ovaries are surgically removed than if the decline of ovarian function is less abrupt Etiology Idiopathic, due to response of autonomic nervous system to ↓ estrogens; they are responsible for osteoporosis, atrophy of vaginal epithelium, leukorrhea and pruritus; relationship of ↓ estrogen to CAD is unclear Therapy Although hormones–eg, estrogens in ♀ and androgens in ♂ ameliorate the symptoms, they are contraindicated in ♀ with breast CA, and in ♂ with prostate CA; megestrol acetate ↓ HFs by 85%–vs 20% with placebos

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Patient discussion about Hot Flashes.

Q. Hot flashes while on tamoxifen - is there anything to do? Hello, Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and after surgery and radiation, I was given tamoxifene. In the beginning it was OK, but now I have hot flashes. Usually I can to hold my self until It passes, but some times (like during work) it’s just so bothering- is there anything I can do to make these flashes go?

A. Just a short update, I took Riki's advice and went to see my doctor a couple of days ago - now I just have to wait and see if the medicine he gave me will do the trick.

Q. does flaxseed work for hot flashes.is there anything else that helps? going though menopause without hormones.

A. No flaxseeds does not work. But I have found something that does work.
Remifemin (estrogen free) the box said to take two a day. I only take one a day apon waking up. It took a week for pills to stop the hot flashes and night sweats, Give it a try.

Q. How Can Hot Flashes Be Treated? I am 62 years old. I have been experiencing hot flashes recently that really bother me. How can this be treated?

A. The problem of hot flashes is experienced by many women undergoing menopause. Until recent years, the main treatment offered, was the hormonal replacement therapy. Nowadays, this treatment is considered a bit problematic, therefore it is recommended to start with alternative options of treatment- a variety of natural supplements are available to try. It is also believed that dietary changes may relieve hot flashes. This includes avoiding caffeine, hot drinks, chocolate, spicy or hot foods and alcohol. Certain herbs are also believed to help.