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This type of disorder affects an average of 70% of women and, again in general, begins to present itself around 47-48 years of age, together with the first, important changes in the cycle.
From this moment on, hot flashes will accompany the woman's life for at least three or four years.
Obviously, this does not mean that the phenomenon may occur even before this age, already at the turn of the third and fourth decade of life.
In particular, hot flashes generally become more intense and annoying when the dreaded moment arrives prematurely (in this case we are talking about premature menopause, or premature menopause, which can be natural or a direct consequence of the surgical removal of the ovaries or of a therapy antitumor).
, hot flashes are caused by the irregularity of estrogen levels and reach their peak in the months following the last menstrual cycle, only to gradually subside after one or two years.
Even the intensity and frequency of hot flashes, similar to the date on which they occur, are not immune to a certain individual variability. Thus, some women can peacefully enter menopause without feeling any sign of the disorder, while in other cases hot flashes can become an uncomfortable life partner even for several years after the last menstruation.
Intense and frequent hot flashes have been linked to a higher incidence of mood disorders in menopause, such as anxiety and depression, loss of sexual desire, sleep disturbances and cognitive disturbances (easy loss of concentration and / or memory) .
until the face and neck are flushed; the result is profuse sweating which disappears shortly after leaving room for chills.During a flush, the skin temperature rises considerably, passing within a few minutes from canonical 28-30 to 34-35 degrees centigrade.
, spices and hot drinks, such as tea and coffee.
The same care and attention must be paid to the choice of sheets, strictly in cotton, and duvets, preferably surrounded by a cool and ventilated environment: this will prevent hot flashes from interrupting night sleep, bringing tiredness and fatigue upon awakening.
Still in the food sector, fresh foods should be preferred, such as vegetables, while it is good to stay at a safe distance from alcohol and foods that are too fatty, especially in summer or in the evening (if hot flashes usually occur during the night's rest). Obviously, these dietary precautions must be observed all the more rigorously the greater the severity of the disorder.
Among the foods useful in the presence of hot flashes, the universally recommended soy stands out which, thanks to its isoflavones (substances of natural origin with estrogen-like activity), is often proposed by wellness experts; the same goes for red clover and its extracts.
It should be noted, however, that the favorable action of isoflavones on hot flashes has been considerably reduced in recent years.
Regular physical exercise increases the body's thermoregulatory capacity; for this reason women who constantly carry out a certain motor activity experience less intense and frequent hot flashes than more sedentary women.
A well-trained body also improves mood, promotes weight loss and helps maintain an ideal body mass index, which has also proved useful in preventing the intensity and frequency of hot flashes (which are in fact more burdensome in obese women). On the other hand, the insulating effect of the adipose tissue, which tends to oppose thermal dispersion, is well known.
A cool environment or a simple fan can be a regenerating relief in case of hot flashes.
Women smokers should know that the countless disadvantages of smoking also include its aggravating effect on the severity of unwanted heat waves (in addition to favoring the onset of an early menopause, smoking also increases osteoporotic and cardiovascular risk).
Finally, self-control is of fundamental importance at the first signs of a flash; a few slow, deep breaths help relaxation and help ease symptoms.
Only when hot flashes are particularly severe and frequent, gynecologists usually recommend, after a "careful clinical evaluation to examine the risks and benefits, a hormone replacement therapy based on estrogens, possibly associated with progestogens.
For further information: Drugs to Treat Hot Flashes in Menopause
