Menopause is a natural transition from the normal reproductive stage of a woman. It causes a reduction and fluctuation of hormonal levels. More importantly, it causes emotional disturbances.
The sum total of all creates many disorders, including hot flashes for the menopausal women.
A hot flash attack dilates the blood vessels on the upper body and allows more blood to flow. It creates a hot feeling on the neck and the face, a flushed face and other symptoms. It may last from a few seconds up to an hour.
In intensity and duration it may be mild, moderate or severe. The first line of defense is to identify the trigger and avoid it. It is possible to manage the problem when it is mild, without any medication. Lifestyle modifications, reducing stress and some dietary changes can take care of the problem. In moderate hot flashes, additional nonprescription medication is necessary. Vitamins E and B6 and Peridin-e tablets help reduce the effect. Herbal remedies that may help include black cohosh, ginseng, dong quai, wild yam root, prime rose oil and sage tea. But the effect of herbal remedies in the case of women who have had breast cancer is not known. So care should be taken in such cases.
Acupuncture is a very promising line of treatment. Dr. Tomasz M. Beer of OHSU Cancer Institute says, ‘Acupuncture is a low toxicity treatment that may offer important symptomatic relief to cancer patients who suffer from hot flashes’. When the problem is severe and does not respond appreciably to management, hormonal replacement and other prescription drugs become necessary.
Estrogen therapy has proved to be the most effective therapy for hot flashes. But the potential side effects, like endometrial cancer, make it the last resort. An anti-depressant drug, venlafaxine, offers a good nonhormonal treatment for hot flashes. The Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Charles says, ‘I am not aware of any other non-hormonal treatment that has been studied that is as effective.’ The Mayo Clinic came out with a paper which mentioned a pro-gestational agent, MPA, as the most effective nonhormonal treatment for hot flashes. Blood pressure medications like clonidine and Methyldopa also offer some relief for hot flashes.
A menopausal woman suffering from hot flashes has to take an informed personal decision in consultation with her physician on the line of management and treatment to be adopted.