Aging graciously is not always easy, especially for women who are battling menopausal symptoms on a regular basis. Many women rely on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to remedy hot flashes while some believe in a more natural approach such as acupuncture and yoga.
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) revealed a list of scientifically-proven remedies for hot flashes. Experts highly-recommended cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The combination of relaxation techniques, positive outlook and proper sleep hygiene can reduce the intensity of hot flashes.
The CBT approach explores the links between behavior, thoughts and emotions. By studying the thought pattern that leads to self-destructive actions, doctors can help patients cope better to a situation by modifying the thought pattern. The panel expressed that CBT does not decrease the occurrence of hot flashes, only its intensity.
"The more stressed we are, the worse the symptoms are," said NAMS president Pauline Maki. Using the CBT approach, women are taught how to handle and lower their stress levels. Hot flashes are more tolerable when women respond to them with lower stress levels.
Clinical hypnosis might sound uncertain at first but random trials proved otherwise. There are large hypnosis experiments where women reported they don't experience hot flashes. NAMS experts agree that this mind-over-body strategy can help. Healthcare providers can offer this option to patients who want to stay away from hormone-based treatments.
The experts also published a list of medication proven to remedy hot flashes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved low-dose paroxetine salt is recommended for menopausal women who cannot or refuse to take HRT. Prescription drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants can also help remedy hot flashes. Patients who take SSRI are advised to take the lowest dose possible. Experts endorse with caution other prescription drugs such as gabapentinoids and clonidine because of their side effects.
Gabapentinoid is used to treat widespread musculoskeletal pain called fibromyalgia. Patients who take this drug often suffer from drowsiness. Clonidine is used to treat high-blood pressure but it can treat night sweats and hot flashes when taken in moderation.
In recent years, many menopausal women look into physical activities to help them cope with aging. While yoga and aerobics can definitely help improve your overall welfare, sadly, they don't help relieve hot flashes. The same can be said for herbal therapies like evening primrose, maca, pollen extract and flaxseed. Experts said these "natural remedies" do not have scientific basis.
Endocrinologist and NAMS founder Dr. Wulf Utian said that the claim is more of a marketing ploy as these treatments do not have sets of scientific basis to prove the relief of hot flashes. Other holistic favorites like acupuncture, cooling techniques and paced respiration also do not have scientific evidence.
Several health experts were surprised that a proven-and-tested technique called 'trigger avoidance' did not make the list of remedies that work. Penn Center for Women's Behavioral Wellness director Dr. C. Neill Epperson stressed that just because a popular treatment is not on the list, does not mean it does not work, but only means there is currently no scientific evidence to back up the claim, and that further studies need to be done. The best example is exercise, which didn't make the cut. However, if a menopausal patient swears that it helps her deal with the hot flashes, experts will not recommend that she stops.
Some things work better for some people. Experts are optimistic that more clinical and randomized tests will shed light on new treatments.
