Hot, cold, hot, cold…can’t seem to make up your mind?  Feel like you’re going crazy?  Welcome to the world of perimenopause and postmenopause à la modern-day.  Hot flashes are only one of many uncomfortable symptoms we have come to expect of menopause.  Other symptoms include heart palpitations, vertigo, weakness, fatigue, loss of sex drive, changes in skin tone, incontinence, weight gain, loss of memory, mood swings, headache, anxiety, bladder problems, breast tenderness, thinning of the skin, dry vagina, painful intercourse, and shortness of breath, just to name a few.  Some of these symptoms will affect approximately 75% of all women, regardless of whether their menopause was surgical or natural. 

Hot flashes can begin as early as age 35 or as late as age 55.   Each hot flash can last from mere moments up to 10 minutes (rarely up to an hour), and most women can expect to have them for one to five years.  One study has shown that women who use estrogen replacement may have decreased hot flashes, but will have to endure them for twice as many years.  Women who undergo surgical menopause will generally have hot flashes for a longer time than those who have a natural menopause.  Complications arise when women have hot flashes during the night that interrupt the sleep.  Sleep deprivation can cause depression, memory loss, and reduced energy.

Energy-wise there is a sentiment in the holistic healing fields that the insomnia that accompanies menopause and the energy release of the hot flashes is the soul’s way of redirecting energy that enables women to become more influential peacemakers and healers in their communities.

Why do some women experience tropical heat waves many times each day, others only at night (accompanied by monsoon-like night sweats), and others not at all?  The theories are up for debate.  One theory is that the hypothalamus (temperature regulating center in the brain) is resetting the body temperature set point due to the withdrawal of estrogens.  As the estrogens (especially estradiol) ebb and flow the body temperature fluctuates.  Another theory is that progesterone is not properly balanced to the estrogens.  Yet another theory, based on a study showing women with hot flashes having the same amount of estrogens as women without hot flashes, suggests these heat waves are more related to the increased amount of circulating Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Leutinizing Hormone (LH).  These hormones can be elevated by up to 1300% during menopause. 

When a woman enters perimenopause her ovaries begin to slow down their hormone production on their eventual way to retiring completely. Her adrenal glands are expected to increase their production of androgen hormones that are easily converted by fat cells into estradiol.  Progesterone production is also supposed to be taken over by the adrenal glands at this time.  Hot flashes often happen on the ‘adrenal cycle’ every 60 to 90 minutes.  By the time most women have arrived at perimenopause they have had enough stress to exhaust the adrenal glands.  How can the adrenal glands possibly assume the responsibility of producing and balancing hormone output when they are drained?  The catch-22 is that the stress of the hot flashes themselves depletes the B vitamins, vitamin C, (both of which are needed for adrenal health) magnesium, and potassium.

Specific triggers for hot flashes can include spicy food, acidic food, hot drinks, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, white sugar, hydrogenated and saturated fats, stress, hot weather, hot tubs and saunas, tobacco, marijuana, intense exercise (including sex), anger, and commercial beef, poultry, and eggs (which can have significant amounts residual estrogen in them).

Adrenal support and building is key in remedying hot flashes.  Dietary changes are fundamental to the process.  Whole eggs contain all the nutrients needed to feed the glandular system, including the adrenals.  Nuts and seeds (but not peanuts) and whole grains will provide some of the B-complex vitamins to strengthen the adrenal glands.  Lightly cooked vegetables can provide some of vitamin C necessary for adrenal support.

Chamomile, passion flower, and hops contain good amounts of B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium, all of which aid in supporting the adrenal glands.

Foods to be avoided include feed-lot meats (beef, pork, poultry) because they are ‘fattened-up’ with estrogen which remains residual in the animal flesh.  Refined carbohydrates (white flour, white sugar) with the resultant blood sugar swings cause adrenal stress.  Dairy products often have residual hormones and antibiotics in them that can confuse the human endocrine system.   Caffeine bearing foods create serious stress for the adrenal glands.  The stimulating effects of caffeine bear a striking resemblance to whipping a tired horse.  Stimulating these glands with caffeine will generally produce a surge of androgens and progesterone, which actually is temporarily balancing, but when the stimulation ends and the hormone levels fall the hot flashes will return with a vengeance.

Chronic stress depletes the adrenal glands.  Meditation, prayer, laughter, and gentle exercise, are some of the best non-supplemental remedies for stress. 

Exercise has been shown to have a direct impact on reducing hot flashes by balancing the hypothalamus, which in turn can reduce the amount of LH and FSH and increase the amount of endorphins.  (Endorphins are ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters that are depleted during hot flashes.)

There are many herbs and vitamins that can support and build the function of the adrenal glands.

Stress formula (Nutri-calm) contains all of the B-complex vitamins that are so essential to the balanced functioning of the adrenal glands and liver.  Remember that the liver is responsible for: 1) preparing the cholesterol for the ovaries and adrenals to make hormones out of; and 2) detoxifying any excess of hormones.

Sarsaparilla is an excellent tonic, containing steroidal saponins, which I have found helpful as an adrenal support in perimenopause and menopause.  (A steroidal saponin is a precursor that the body can use to manufacture steroids.  All hormones, natural and synthetic are steroids.)

Licorice root contains isoflavones that have estrogenic effects.  It also contains glycyrrhetinic acid that antagonizes many estrogen effects.  As such, licorice root seems to be able to increase or decrease the body’s production of estrogens as needed.  Through its glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid it mimics many of the effects of adrenal hormones, and needs to be used with some caution to prevent elevations in blood pressure and fluid retention. Licorice is also an excellent adrenal gland support.

False unicorn root stimulates the production of progesterone from the corpus luteum in ovulating women and the adrenal glands in all women.  Dr. John Lee (What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause) indicates that there is emphatic research supporting low progesterone as a significant cause of hot flashes. 

Sarsaparilla, licorice root, and false unicorn are just three of seven ingredients in C-X which is designed to help balance the body and reduce the symptoms of menopause.

Many years ago I worked with a client who was in her 50’s and was experiencing several severe hotflashes each day. She also had arthritis that would make her hands seize up when she rode her horse outdoors in the cold Alberta winter months. Thinking I was only working on her arthritis, I gave her ART-A with devil’s claw. After a few weeks on ART-A with devil’s claw she called me and told me her her hot flashes were gone. This formula not only helps with localized acid inflammation, but it also contains yucca, an adrenal supporting herb.

My very favorite adrenal-building supplement is Adrenal Support. The blend of bovine adrenal substance, licorice root, vitamins and minerals supports the adrenals thoroughly and with quick results.

I have found hawthorn to be another gentle, yet effective, adrenal support which may also help with blood pressure problems.

Passion flower has been used traditionally to deal with the effects of stress, including insomnia and hot flashes.  Passion flower is especially helpful for hot flashes that result in sweating, including night sweats.

Many herbs and vitamins have supportive nutrients and energies for the ovaries.  These herbs generally help the ovaries to regulate the creation of estrogens or progesterones.

F. E. Formula  is a timed-release, guaranteed potency supplement containing dong quai and a minimum of 2.5% total triterpene glycosides from black cohosh root.  Both dong quai and black cohosh have long histories of being used to alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Black cohosh root has been clinically shown to reduce hot flashes, menopausal depression, vaginal atrophy, and LH.

Dong quai, a member of the angelica family, has been used traditionally (especially in the Orient) as a uterine and hormone tonic.  It contains phytoestrogens that compete for estrogen sites and have very mild estrogen-like properties.  For those whose estrogen is low, dong quai will usually have the effect of a mild estrogen supplement.  For those who have elevated estrogen, hormonal building blocks from dong quai will occupy some of the estrogen receptor sites, thus reducing the overall effect of the estrogens in the body.

Vitamin E has been used and recognized for over 50 years to combat hot flashes.  By strengthening the capillary walls and via its estrogenic effect, hot flashes are often reduced.  According to one study done in 1949, vitamin E had a positive impact in reducing severe hot flashes in one-half of the women who used it.  Ann Louise Gittleman  (Super Nutrition for Menopause), recommends starting with 400 IUs per day, and increasing gradually to 1200 IUs if necessary.  Be aware, that women who are diabetics or on blood thinners should only use these doses of vitamin E under very close supervision.

Wild yam contains steroidal glycosides that are precursors to progesterone.

Chaste berry contains flavonoids and glycosides.  It does not contain phytosterols.  As a slow-acting tonic, chaste berry has been shown to stimulate progesterone, LH, and luteotropic homones, while inhibiting FSH and prolactin.  The adjustments to these hormone levels can reduce hot flashes and many other menopausal symptoms. The combination of Wild Yam and Chaste Tree has helped many of my clients get rid of moodiness and irritability associated with hormone spikes and drops.

Natural supplements and our lifestyles can go a long way to regulating our hormone-shifted thermostats of menopause.

Sources:

Susan Lark, The Menopause Self Help Book

Ann Louise Gittleman, Super Nutrition for Menopause

Susun Weed, Wise Woman Ways Menopausal Years

John R. Lee, What Your Doctor may not Tell you About Premenopause

John R. Lee, What Your Doctor may not Tell you About Menopause

Bernard Jensen, Foods that Heal

Ralph C. Benson, Handbook of Obstetrics and Gynecology

James F. Balch, Prescription for Nutritional Healing

Michael T. Murray, Healing Power of Herbs

By Judith Cobb, MH, CH, CI, RNCP, ICCE