Did you feel like one day you were okay and the next hot flush city? Or did you wake up soaked in sweat and wonder where its suddenly appeared from?
I can explain a little bit about what is going on, but firstly these symptoms if they're going to hit they are just going to start one day. When it's a temperature control issue your internal thermostat probably has been on the rise for a while and you may not have noticed, then ping!
One day, or night it suddenly like you've been stuck in a microwave for 30 seconds as a flush consumes you... but why did it start at this time of year?
There are a few factors that come into play and collide over a time like Christmas. Firstly eating habits change, richer foods and sugary foods, plus alcohol; then you add in stress. The more stressed we are the more adrenaline and cortisol are released. Adrenalin makes us feel good and helps us charge around getting everything ready in time. Cortisol is a 'relaxing' hormone but we're left with too much of it in our system and it's looking to latch on to something. Too much cortisol is also a major factor in why we get intense anxiety at certain points during the menopause and perimenopause.
As we near the menopause, we're in the perimenopause stage, so we still have estrogen, but levels fluctuate all the time even though it is in general decline. Estrogen spikes when it is trying to help you ovulate, however if it can't find eggs to release it keeps spiking as it is working harder to do the same job, and these 'spikes' are creating the flushing.
When our body's are in this state the Liver also comes into play, and how efficiently it is working. The more it has to cleanse to remove sugars and toxins the harder it has to work. So you may get night sweats appearing, this will be from an accumulation build up over time with the liver working harder and harder to cleanse your blood. After a week of rich foods, carbs and alcohol it can be that one evening that brings about your first sweat, but it has been building up over time, it's just now it's past a critical line. The liver is like an engine, as it works harder it heats up, and it's got to a point that that heat wakes you up.
What can I do to help relieve hot flushes?
There are 2 major options - HRT or natural. If you take HRT and it agrees with you, you will revert the hormonal status of your body to that of a younger woman and hot flushes may ease. I say 'may', as if you have estrogen dominance and the Doctor doesn't get your HRT right you may experience worse symptoms.
The other way is natural, and that doesn't mean putting up with symptoms, it means doing everything you can to ease them or even eradicate them (this is the best option!) . Here are some ideas how to get started:
The right nutritional supplements to start aiding your body back to health and balance (calming hormonal fluctuation and relaxing your nervous system)
Creams that alleviate heat symptoms as they appear
Therapies that can target the underlying causes and bring you back to health and balance
Eating changes to ease the load on your liver
Liver detox to really cleanse your liver and detox your gut
Take a probiotic to aid your gut health
These are a handful of lifestyle changes that are key to your transitioning into the next phase of your life: you want your hot flushes to go away don't you? If you're experiencing other symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, putting on belly fat, mood swings, itchy skin, irritability, IBS, bloating, brain fog and fatigue, know that all of these symptoms can be alleviated with these simple changes.
That starts to sound impressive doesn't it?
If you don't make changes, what will happen? Your symptoms may stay the same, they may get worse, the one thing they won't do anytime soon is get better. Ask around, there are women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s that say they still have flushes and sweats; don't let that be you!
Hot flushes are an indication that your cardio vascular system is struggling. Heart disease is one of the largest issues for women post menopause and the first indication of this is your body flushing. Take action now to have a healthier post menopause life.
Start making changes today!
Download these 2 freebie resourses that give you some starting pointers:
If you need more help and you like reading I have my eBook Understanding your Menopause
here - Packed with 85 pages of understanding and advice on what changes to make, none of it is exceptional, it's everyday things, you just need to know what those things are. Get this ebook along with How to Eat for the Perimenopause and Beyond combined for a reduced price to get your started. Click image to shop.
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Finding someone who understands you
One of the major issues with your menopause is that no one else quite gets it. GPs can be helpful but still aren't getting where you're at, you may have friends in the same boat where you support each other but are you moving forwards with solutions?
If you're the type of person that wants to relieve your symptoms not put up with them, and you really need someone to talk to then I'm here and most importantly - I understand.
I understand what's going on with your hormones, I understand health patterns, I know about the emotional impact, and I can appreciate from my previous career what it must be like to have these symptoms and try to work. I'm also always looking to find solutions and give practical advice on what you can do naturally to not only alleviate symptoms but have a healthier and happier menopause.
I do online consultations where knowledge is key and you will leave knowing what you can do to help yourself with your specific symptoms ,read more about consultation options here.
K N O W L E D G E . P A U S E . F L O U R I S H
Andrea from Cotswold Menopause
Andrea is a Shiatsu and Chinese Medicine Practitioner who has specialised in helping women alleviate symptoms and understand perimenopause from the earliest signs. Since shocked but relieved to find out all her symptoms were menopause related 4 years ago she has dedicated her business to helping women find relief, she aims to help you truly understand what your menopause is about and how to flourish through this time.
