Hot flashes or flushes, and their night time equivalent, night sweats cause around 85% of women to search for hot flashes treatment. Women may suffer from either one or both. They are closely associated with the lead up to the menopause or perimenopause stage of a women’s life. They may continue for some years, even after a women has had her last period.

Hot flashes and night sweats can vary in severity from one women to another. They cause the feeling of heat in the upper body, flushing , increased heart rate, sweating followed by chills as the hot flush ends.

Less common symptoms include, dizziness, weakness and fatigue. For those that suffer with constant night sweats, it can lead to very disturbed sleep patterns, resulting in constant tiredness and even depression.

For those women that find that these symptoms interfere with their daily lives and have a profound and debilitating effect on their health, there a several remedies available for relief of hot flashes and night sweats. These range from medical treatments, herbal remedies and self help techniques. Here I have suggested 5 popular remedies for hot flashes and night sweats.

Firstly, it has been found that there are several factors that increase a women’s chances of suffering from hot flashes and night sweats. One of these being stress. Women who have high levels of anxiety, have been shown to be five times more likely to suffer from hot flashes and night sweats.

For women who have high levels of stress in their lives and suffer hot flashes, finding relaxation techniques can be very beneficial. These could be in the form of Yoga classes or mindfulness-based stress reduction classes. Simple breathing techniques and meditation are among a few of the very effective remedies for hot flashes.

A technique called paced respiration may also provide relief. It uses slow, deep abdominal breathing to promote calmness and relaxation.If you are relaxed, you will be better able to deal with problems and conflicts at home and at work.

Secondly, diet has been shown to play a large role in how women suffer from hot flashes and night sweats. It is well worth keeping a record of your hot flashes and a food diary. It is well known that certain foods can trigger a hot flash. Hot, spicy foods are the most common culprits. Caffeine and hot drinks can be a trigger for some women as can alcohol and smoking.

Thirdly, during the menopause, oestrogen levels decline and eventually diminish, contributing to hot flashes and night sweats. As well as some foods having a negative response to hot flashes, there are several that have a very positive effect as a remedy for them.

One such highly beneficial product is Soy. Soy products contain isoflavones, which are plant derived oestrogens called phytoestrogens.These are chemically similar to oestrogen. They are found in foods such as, soybeans, tofu, soy milk and nuts or any soy product.

Fourthly, herbal remedies have been widely used for years as a remedy for hot flashes and night sweats. The most popular herbal remedies are black cohosh, ginseng, wild yam root, soya beans, licorice root, dong quai.. Ginseng, dong quai (the female root of ginseng), and black cohosh all contain oestrogen- like substances. The mild oestrogenic effect they exert on the body, may help compensate for declining levels of natural hormone.

Finally, acupuncture as a remedy for hot flashes and night sweats has proved very successful. Acupuncture is the ancient practice of inserting small needles into specific points of the body for relief from various symptoms. It is claimed that acupuncture can reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes and night sweats by up to 50%. It also helps with disturbed sleep patterns due to the night sweats. In various studies, it has been shown that up to 80% of people who try acupuncture, significantly benefit from it’s use.

The symptoms and effects of hot flashes and night sweats vary enormously from woman to woman, which is why one remedy may work better for one woman and not another. It is well worth trying some very simple self help techniques before embarking on medical treatment, such as hormone replacement therapy. However, if your symptoms are severe you should always consult a health care professional, especially if you decide on taking any medication or herbal hot flashes treatment.