Reduced estrogen levels are the cause of hot flashes, which some women experience at the approach of menopause. But what about solutions? Are there natural ways to keep hot flashes at bay? Frequency and severity of the hot flashes decreased by an average of almost 60% among women taking ground flax daily.
New research says yes. Here are three natural remedies to consider if you are experiencing hot flashes, which involve flushing of the face and chest, sometimes in conjunction with heart palpitations, dizziness and headaches:
- Flaxseed: According to new research from the US, flaxseed may reduce the frequency of hot flashes by 50%. A pilot study at the Mayo Clinic recruited 29 postmenopausal women who suffered from hot flashes and did not take estrogen because of a perceived increased risk of breast cancer. The women were assigned to receive 40 grams of crushed flaxseed daily for six weeks. The 21 women from whom full data was obtained experienced a 50% reduction in frequency of hot flashes. The overall "hot flash score" (accounting for both frequency and severity of hot flashes) decreased an average of almost 60% among women who completed the trial. Improvements in mood, joint or muscle pain, chills and sweating were also noted.
- Pine bark extract: Also known as Pycnogenol, pine bark extract from the French maritime pine may be an alternative treatment to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a new German study suggests. The study, based at the University of Munster, involved 155 perimenopausal women who received either 200 mg of Pycnogenol or a placebo daily during the study period. All symptoms including hot flashes improved significantly in the Pycnogenol group and did not change significantly in the placebo group. No unwanted side effects were noted among women receiving Pycnogenol.
- Black cohosh: Another German study points to this herb for alleviation of hot flashes. About 300 women experiencing menopausal symptoms were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or black cohosh for 12 weeks. Afterwards, women who took black cohosh were found to experience improvements in symptoms comparable to those among women in a recent study using HRT.
Other herbs to consider for hot flash relief include red clover, which contains high quantities of plant-based estrogens; and dong quai, used in traditional Chinese medicine along with other herbs to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
The bottom line: HRT isn’t your only choice for respite from hot flashes. Although the effects may vary from woman to woman, natural alternatives can noticeably improve quality of life.
Sources: J Soc Int Onc, doi: 10.2310/7200.2007.007; www.sciencedaily.com, summarizing research to be published in Scandinavian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Obstet Gynecol, 2005; 105(5 Pt 1): 1074-83
