Menopause Archives - Health Beat

How to Cool Hot Flashes

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

A hot flash is a sudden warm feeling in the upper body, usually the most intense over the face, neck, and chest. Hot flashes are most commonly caused by menopause. Menopause is when the menstrual period stops for good. It is diagnosed after 12 months without having a menstrual period, vaginal bleeding, or spotting.

Here are some strategies and tips that can help you manage your hot flashes:

Keep your core body temperature as cool as possible
Keep cool at night
Watch what you eat and drink
Refrain from smoking
Maintain a healthy weight
Reduce your stress
Exercise regularly
When you feel a hot flash coming on, take several slow, deep breaths and try to relax
Drink a glass of cold water and sit calmly until it passes
Wear layers you can easily take off when you feel yourself getting hot

Once a hot flash is starting, there is no instant cure. Talk with your healthcare professional about medications and complementary therapies that make the most sense for you and your symptoms.

If you are experiencing hot flashes due to menopause, the most effective way to relieve the discomfort from them is to take estrogen, but taking it carries risks.

Other treatments for hot flashes can include:

Medications
- Antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and other medications
Hormone therapy
Mind and body approaches
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Hypnosis
- Mindful meditation
- Acupuncture
Dietary supplements

If you are experiencing hot flash symptoms, you can visit Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Understanding Menopause in Six Simple Facts

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Xavia Malcolm

The life stages of women’s reproductive health begin with puberty (menstruation) and end with menopause. Menopause marks the time when a woman stops having her period and is no longer able to reproduce. While this stage is a normal part of life it has its challenges as women may experience several, physical and emotional changes. Here are six simple facts to educate and help prepare you for potential changes ahead.

What is menopause?

Menopause is medically defined as the time in a woman’s life when she has not had her period for 12 months after her last menstrual cycle. Her ovaries will cease to further produce eggs.

When does it happen?

The average age for women living in the United States to experience menopause is 51 years old. However, in some cases, it can occur as early as a woman’s 30’s or as late has her 60’s. Symptoms can begin to present a few years earlier before the actual onset of menopause. This stage of your reproductive health is referred to as perimenopause.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of menopause may vary from person to person; they may include:

Hot flashes
Night sweats
A slowed metabolism and weight gain
Vaginal dryness
Mood swings
Trouble sleeping
Thinning hair
Incontinence

How to treat or cope with symptoms?

There are several treatments and lifestyle changes you can apply to help relieve symptoms, some of which are:

Hormone replacement therapy
Getting enough sleep
Strengthening pelvic floor muscles by doing Kegel exercises
Eating a balanced diet
Taking calcium and Vitamin D supplements, as recommended
Exercising regularly
Taking low-dose anti-depressants as prescribed

Can menopause lead to further complications?

Your risk for developing certain health conditions may increase after menopause. Examples of these include osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease

When should I speak to my doctor about menopause?

If you are experiencing unusual pain, other extreme physical or emotional symptoms which affect your quality of life, it is advised that you speak with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may explore treatment options or suggest lifestyle changes. It is also recommended that you begin the conversation about menopause during perimenopause (early menopause symptoms). Your doctor can offer guidance on what to expect.

Flushing Hospital also offers a full range of OB/GYN ambulatory care services in its Women’s Health Center. To make an appointment, please call 718 670-8994.

Are post-menopausal women at risk for developing hypertension?

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

Women expect their bodies to undergo several changes during menopause but it is also important for them to know about one of the major changes they may encounter post -menopause. This is a change in their cardiovascular health. As the production of the hormone estrogen decreases, their risk for developing diseases such as hypertension can increase.

Estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining cardiovascular health. It helps with keeping blood vessels dilated, reducing sensitivity to sodium, producing collagen which keeps the walls of blood vessels flexible and reducing levels of endothelin (peptides that constrict blood vessels)- all of which are essential factors in normalizing blood pressure.

A declination in estrogen levels during menopause can also contribute to weight gain. Being overweight or obese increases the probability of developing hypertension.

There are preventative measures post-menopausal women can take to reduce their risk of getting hypertension. Living a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercising regularly and eating a balanced has been effective in controlling and lowering blood pressure in most women.