We have all seen the “humorous” birthday cards, “I’m still hot, it just comes in flashes” but the reality for so many women is that increased incidents of heat as they age are far from a joke.
At worse, they can negatively impact every aspect of life from determining what you wear, swerving social events and passing on important work opportunities for fear of the dreaded heat invading.
Not all hot flushes are created equally but typically it is the label given to the sudden and intense feeling of heat sometimes starting around the chest (but not always), spreading to the upper body. Your heart rate may go up, you may start sweating and have palpitations. Sometimes you can feel a cold sensation afterwards. They can last 2 minutes to 10 minutes and worse still you don’t always know when they are coming.
In Western medicine, these episodes, to some extent, remain an enigma with varying theories including the most common hypothesis relating to the hypothalamus thermostat role being disturbed due to oestrogen level reduction.
In Chinese Medicine world, all hot flushes are definitely not created equally and we have to get into the detail. You will often hear me in clinic asking lots of questions “when do you have the most episodes of heat ?”, “where does it come from in the body – the tummy, the chest, the feet”, “do you have then on holiday ? In hot countries?”.
Answers to questions like these and the associating symptoms give us an insight to the root cause of the heat. Each one giving a critical clue to what is going on in the body. For example, Spleen Qi deficiency might mean hot flushes are accompanied by poor digestion and damp heat in the body. Stagnant Liver Qi might mean the heat is accompanied by stress and anger.
So apart from having elaborate clothing strategies, being surgically attached to a pocket fan and wearing a bikini to the board meeting, what can you actually do about the flames from hell creeping up on your body?
Whether it’s social media bombardment from companies called things like the Moody Elephant, intense dinner table peer pressure from well-meaning friends (“changed my life darhling”) or the lovely lady in Holland and Barratt. It would seem everyone has a solution for you which can leave you even more confused.
Obviously, HRT is the popular choice for many in an attempt to steady the oestrogen levels. However, it is not an option for everyone with risks sometimes out-weighing benefits. In addition, it can take time to get the right levels which can be both confusing and frustrating. If HRT is not for you or you want to try something else, here are some alternatives:-
- Acupuncture is getting increasingly popular and every day in clinic I am lucky to see the difference this can make in women’s lives. We work together understanding the pattern you present with and use appropriate cooling points. If you are considering this, make sure you find a qualified degree level acupuncturist local to you by using the search facility on The British Acupuncture Council website
- Reflexology can also have a very positive influence in reducing episodes, the Association of Reflexologists will put you in touch with a local qualified practitioner. Most patients find it super relaxing and can help put the body back into balance, all while you are snoozing on a couch.
- If needles or feet aren’t your thing, Chinese Medicine herbs are another option to consider. Using the same principles of getting to the root cause and establishing a bespoke prescription for you to manage the heat you are experiencing.
All these natural options work with the body, may give immediate relief and with potential super side effects such as improved digestion and sleep.
Whatever you try, make sure you take notes of intensity and frequency of the heat currently to compare results. Many of my patients write diary notes on their phone so we can see any positive impact natural interventions are having.
Finally, do make sure you get help from a qualified practitioner who really knows their stuff. You need to engage with someone who will treat you as an individual and look at your whole health picture. Wonderful, beautiful you. Be confident in trying new natural treatments, explore what works for you and invest time in making you feel better. With the right help and an individualised health plan, erratic thermostats can be a thing of the past.
