Intense warmth spreading throughout the body. Flushed skin that looks red and blotchy. Sudden sweating that comes on without notice.

Hot flashes are one of the most intrusive and frequently experienced symptoms of menopause. Depending on their severity, some women are advised to try hormone therapies like Vagifem and Premarin, while many others turn to home remedies to deal with hot flashes. If you’re looking for ways to keep cool without prescription drugs, these are 6 of the best ways to manage your hot flashes at home.

6 Home Remedies for Hot Flashes

1. Dress Smart

Optimize your outfits so that it’s easier to quickly cool down no matter what kind of environment you’re in. Swap out one-piece items like long-sleeved dresses for layered looks that can be easily removed when you’re in the midst of a hot flash. Choosing more breathable fabrics like cotton, chambray, and linen will help you to feel less stifled in the middle of a hot flash, especially if your episodes are accompanied by sweating.

2. Avoid Food Triggers

Certain foods cause hot flashes. Some of the most common dietary triggers are:

• Spicy foods
• Caffeine
• Alcohol

Does cutting all three of these out of your life sounds like torture? Keep a diary of your food intake and menopause symptoms to identify any specific foods that make you burn up.

3. Climate Control

Many women find hot flashes occurring at night. This leads to interrupted sleep and contributes to stress, which can in turn exacerbate menopause symptoms. Keeping cool at night may help break this vicious cycle, and can be accomplished by:

• Keeping a fan on you at night
• Using light, breathable bedding and pajamas
• Keeping an ice pack or wet cloth next to your bed

4. Relieve Stress

The changes that occur during menopause can bring on stress and anxiety. Aside from making you miserable, these psychological strains can trigger more hot flashes. Stress relief varies widely from woman to woman, but some general tips for keeping calm and collected during menopause are:

• Reach Out – Whether it’s a Facebook group or weekly get-together with friends, talking to women experiencing similar life changes can be an incredible stress reliever.
• Make Time for Yourself – Women in the beginning stages of menopause may be juggling career demands, teenagers, and caring for aging parents. Carving out time to take a bath or read a book might seem impossible, but it’s an important part of keeping your physical and mental health on track.
• See a Therapist – Spending time with a counsellor can be a helpful outlet and will give you insight on how to better manage stress. Women experiencing other stressful events like divorce or the death of a parent can especially benefit from speaking to a therapist during menopause.

5. Quit Smoking

Cigarette smoke has far-reaching impacts on health beyond lung diseases and respiratory issues. Studies have shown that women who smoke enter menopause one to two years earlier than their non-smoking counterparts, and tend to experience more hot flashes. 

6. Exercise

Getting more active might seem counterintuitive to women who feel like they’re frequently burning up, but an exercise routine can help reduce hot flashes for a few different reasons.

• Various studies have shown that women who exercise regularly experience fewer menopause symptoms.
• Weight Loss – Obese and overweight women statistically experience more hot flashes during menopause.
• Stress Reduction – Implementing regular physical activity has positive psychological aspects, and reduces the stress and anxiety that may be triggering some of your hot flashes throughout the day.

Save on Hormone Replacement Therapy

For women with moderate to severe symptoms, hormone therapy might be the most effective way to maintain good quality of life during menopause. Your doctor may prescribe oral or topical hormones depending on your specific symptoms, some of which can add up to hundreds of dollars per month. RxConnected.com offers prescription hormone medications like Vagifem and Premarin at lower prices than traditional pharmacies, so you won’t have to choose between hot flashes and finances. Click here to place an order for your brand name or generic equivalent drug, and medications will be conveniently delivered to your door.

DISCLAIMER: The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.