When is a Hot Flash not a Hot Flash?

When is a hot flash or flush not a hot flash?

Falling oestrogen levels can precipitate hot flashes, night sweats etc, but another less thought of factor, is high histamine levels.

Histamine can become a problem if you are stressed, are smoking, eating foods that don't agree with you or drinking too much alcohol. It can also be a problem if your diet is predominantly made up of highly processed or junk foods.
Although in my case, I have found that it to be genetic, as I tend to suffer from allergies, which my mum does too.

If your skin is sensitive and you react violently to bites or stings, or get prickly heat, you are likely to have high levels of histamine.
So you never know, if you do have high histamine levels, your hot flashes may have nothing to do with your hormones!

Taking nettle either as tea or a tincture can help as can a low dose of vitamin C taken upto 6 times daily. These are natural antihistamines.

Also, it goes without saying, take care of your diet, drink plenty of water, and minimise your caffeine intake.

Is it 'just' the Menopause?

I have been experiencing fatigue for many years now and every time I go to the Doctor, they say to me, "it's just the menopause". You'll just have to take HRT, and by now you should know what I think of that!

I've had blood tests and everything has been normal.
However after reading up a bit more, I insisted on having a specific blood test for folic acid deficiency (red blood folate) and guess what?
My folic acid levels are abnormally low and this leads to a certain type of anaemia called 'pernicious anemia', which amongst a host of other things, makes you feel very tired!
Usually it would show up on a regular blood test (as the red blood cells become larger), but mine was normal.

So, after all, it wasn't 'just' the menopause!

Rhodiola Rosea - energy pill?

As the menopause can also make you feel very tired, this is something I have tried and found very useful.
Rhodiola is used to combat fatigue and is one of those herbal remedies where you can tell whether it's going to work within days rather than weeks. You sort of feel a lift and know whether you will benefit from it in about 4-5 days.

One precaution is that if it helps you, don't be tempted to increase the dose as this can actually cause anxiety.
I found out the hard way.
In fact since I am quite sensitive to herbs etc, I only use 100mg of Rhodiola Rosea, on an empty stomach, in the morning.

Could having a slice of cake help hot flashes?

I discovered the menopause cake recently, claiming to help menopause problems.
It is supposed to be high in phytoestrogens as it contains linseed and soya flour.
Apparently some women find it a great help whilst others do not benefit.

Now I happen to be a bit lazy, so I ordered some from a a website called bake-it.com which is based in the UK.

If you would like a recipe for it, you can get it at menopause cake.

In my case, I couldn't tell for sure whether it helped as I had started other supplements at the same time and then gave up after 6 weeks or so, but you might want to try it and see if it helps you.

St Johns Wort - Verdict

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A while back, I had said that I had been feeling depressed and had started taking St Johns Wort.

For those who are interested in knowing the outcome, for me it has been a total success.

I did not see immediate results and was ready to give up after 3 months. However, I started to feel a subtle difference at about 3 and a half months, and can definitely feel the benefits now.

I have been taking SJW for 5 months now and has been great. It has helped me get through a very difficult and traumatic period when my mum was in hospital, very smoothly. I have felt that I could cope and I no longer get so down that I can't spring back easily.
Things just seem more manageable. Don't expect a miracle though.

As to the menopause symptoms, the hot flushes and the other sypmtoms seem marginally better.

So give it a try and you never know - you might find a new you!

natural menopause