No need to take hormones to relieve hot flashes during menopause. Plants, homeopathy and sports are natural allies that cannot be ignored. The focus of these natural selections.
Face, neck, frozen shoulder or hot flashes when sweating heavily? These manifestations of menopause make many women feel embarrassed every day. Hormone substitutes are not the only solution…
Black cohosh for good health
The World Health Organization believes that the effect of black cohosh (Cimicifuga) has been clinically proven in the treatment of hot flashes, and it can also improve sleep disorders and irritability.
Dr. Jean, a gynecologist, explained: “Mild estrogen is thought to act on the pituitary gland at the bottom of the brain and has a central regulatory effect. Therefore, there are fewer contraindications than other estrogen plants such as soybeans, sage or hops.” -Ernst · Arthur (Ernest Altherr).
How to use black cohosh? The standardized dry extracts are tablets or capsules (Solaray, D. Plantes, Cimipax…).
- -Twice a day must reach 40 to 80 mg, or 1 to 2 tablets of 20 mg.
- -Count 3 to 4 weeks of treatment to evaluate the effect and cure for at least 3 months.
- -As a preventive measure, patients with hormone-dependent cancers (breast cancer, ovarian cancer) should be avoided for less than 5 years. If you have a family history, you can consider seeking medical treatment.
Sage essential oil to prevent sweating during menopause
Sage is known for its estrogen effect (which can compensate for the reduction of hormones) and its antiperspirant effect. If hot flashes are accompanied by a lot of sweating, sage essential oil (EO) will be interesting. Dr. Altherr said: “In 70% of the cases, I found that the hot flashes decreased after 3 to 4 weeks.”
How to use Clary Sage EO? It can be taken neatly: 1 drop of sugar or neutral tablet 2 to 3 times a day. The gynecologist said: “In order to avoid the risk of overdose, it should be diluted and used in the form of capsules or oral solutions of pharmacists.”
Take 1 capsule or 15 drops in the morning, middle and evening (add 2 ml of EO to a 60 ml bottle of 60 ml of 60 degree alcohol). If the improvement is insufficient after one month, double the dose and take a rest after 3 months, and repeat the treatment if necessary. Sage EO contains a large amount of phytoestrogens: do not use it if you have a personal or family history of hormone-dependent cancer.
Homeopathic anti-hot flashes
In the absence of any contraindications, homeopathy is useful when hormone or phytoestrogen therapy is not possible. Homeopathic gynecologist Christelle Charvet pointed out: “Hot flashes are usually only related to menopause and not to specific conditions. Therefore, it is very simple to use the main drug corresponding to this symptom.” 2012 A study showed that Acthéane (Boiron), a homeopathic medicine, can reduce hot flashes by about 37% after 12 weeks, a 21.5% decrease compared to placebo.
-As a basic treatment, take 1 tablet of Acthéane daily and breathe 4 times.
-If the hot flashes are mainly at night and accompanied by hot sweat, add Lachesis 7 CH on a case-by-case basis, and if the hot flashes are red, add Belladonna 7 CH,” said Dr. Altherr, three capsules 1 to 2 times a day + each The suction volume is increased 2 times.
If there is no improvement, please consult a homeopathic doctor for a more personalized prescription.
Do physical exercise to control hormonal fluctuations
Dr. Chawit said: “Generally speaking, the most active women in menopause are the women who are least affected by it, especially hot flashes.” Exercise helps regulate hormonal fluctuations, which is very important in menopause. It also helps reduce stress and overweight, which tends to make hot flashes worse.
In 2012, a US study showed that after 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, women’s hot flashes decreased within 24 hours. Therefore, we exercise at least ½ hour a week 2 to 3 times, which makes us breathless: brisk walking, cycling, fitness or dance classes, water aerobics…
The important thing is regularity: it’s better to do 1/2 every 3 times instead of 1 and a half hours. In addition, we also rely on soft gyms (yoga, tai chi, qigong…) once or twice a week. According to a recent study, 1.5 hours of yoga per week can reduce the frequency of hot flashes by 66%.