Managing Menopause Hot Flashes

By MC Kelby HERWriter

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hot flashes in menopause: how to manage them

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This year, Madame Menopause has made her presence known in my life. My periods are lighter and after several repeated requests my husband finally installed a mini-window air conditioner in our bedroom due to my hot flashes.

My body is changing. After years of fighting with it and finally becoming comfortable with it, my body has now decided to enter into another chapter.

About 10 years ago, my physician mentioned that I was going through perimenopause due to a stressful lifestyle. After leaving the stressful work position, my body went back to normal. But now she is preparing me for another phase of life.

Actually, I was looking forward to this part of my life. The idea of no more period cramps is a huge relief. However, the hot flashes are really annoying especially during the hot summer months.

Here are some helpful tips to combat the unpredictable and fiery hot flash:

-Take a cold shower before you go to bed

-Wear all-cotton pajamas

-Carry baby wet wipes in your purse for an office emergency

-Install a window air conditioner or fan (even if you have central air)

-Keep a fan in your purse and near your favorite sitting area

-Put on deodorant before you go to bed

-Keep some extra ice packs in the freezer

-Stock up on frozen fruit bars or popsicles

I grew up in Chicago and the month of August was always the hottest and stickiest. Chicago in August is unbearable. Now, I just think of menopause as a hot sticky experience with relief insight.

If I experience a hot flash in the evening, I take a shower and put on deodorant. Also, I put on a summer halter dress or nightgown and enjoy the rest of the evening with my family.

If I have a hot flash while watching TV or a movie, I'll usually take an ice break. This means, I walk over to the freezer and place an ice pack on my neck or grab a frozen fruit bar for a healthy snack.

Recently, I had a flashback to my childhood and my grandmother was always fanning herself. She always had a fan near her favorite chair. This makes me wonder if she was experiencing hot flashes during this period in her life.

While the onset of menopause can bring on many emotional and physical changes, it is important to live in the present and remember this is just another, and hopefully brief, chapter in your life.

Sources:

"5 Fixes for Hot Flashes." MORE Magazine. 06 May 2013. Web. 29 May 2013.
http://www.more.com/health/perimenopause-menopause/5-fixes-hot-flashes

"Treating Hot Flashes.” North American Menopause Society. 2012. Web. 29 May 2013.
http://www.menopause.org/docs/for-women/mnflashes.pdf

Reviewed May 30, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.