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" Despite the bitter winter weather, hot flushes can still kick in and knock you for six, no matter how cold it is outside. The sudden rush of unbearable, intense heat can be such a drain \u2013 not to mention embarrassing \u2013 and can come on when you&amp;#039;re least expecting it.\u00A0 Hot flushes are among the most common and uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, affecting almost 75% of women in the UK.\u00A0 With confusion surrounding the link between cancer and use of\u00A0HRT, there are concerns that many women are suffering in silence, with reluctance from many GP&amp;#039;s and specialists to prescribe the course of HRT treatment.\u00A0 HRT alleviates many menopausal symptoms \u2013 including hot flushes, low mood and vaginal dryness \u2013 but there are of course side effects to bear in mind. Often women can\u00A0suffer from nausea, headaches, mood swings and acne, to name a few. Whilst HRT is considered the most effective form of menopause treatment, there are various\u00A0alternative treatments that can curb hot flushes in a flash.\u00A0 Short of sticking your head in the freezer at random points throughout the day, there are some clever \u2013 and less comical \u2013 ways to keep your cool in the sweltering menopausal heat. So to manage menopause the natural way, we&amp;#039;ve put together some expert tips from Dr Marilyn Glenville \u2013 the UK&amp;#039;s leading nutritionist and author of Natural Solutions to Menopause\u00A0(\u00A312.99, Amazon) who specialises in women&amp;#039;s health and menopause \u2013 to give us the low down on how to survive those manic menopausal hot flushes. How to stop hot flushes naturally\u00A0 1.\u00A0Avoid clothes made from synthetic fabrics and wear layers instead so you can adjust your clothing to how you are feeling. 2. Use bedclothes made from cotton and layers rather than a big duvet. 3.\u00A0Watch what you eat and drink: a\u00A0hot drink before bedtime can often trigger night sweats or even make them worse. Try to stay away from caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods. Remember, that caffeine can be found in both food and drink (chocolate, caffeinated soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee and tea). It can cause your blood vessels to expand making you sweat more, which can increase the hot flushes. You can also sip a cold drink during the day. If you feel a hot flash coming on, this can help lower your body&amp;#039;s temperature. 4. Don&amp;#039;t forget to move! Although it may make you feel hotter and sweatier in the short-term women\u00A0who exercise regularly\u00A0seem to have fewer flushes. 5. You can also take Vitamin C - Bioflavonoids help to strengthen the capillaries, improving blood flow and so reducing hot flushes. 6. Stress and anxiety can also cause an attack. Work on your breathing technique - practise yoga, Pilates, meditation or other helpful relaxation techniques. 7. Liquorice root extract as a supplement (not the sweet!) contains substances that have a similar structure to the adrenal cortex hormones. Thus it is one of the herbs that can act as an &amp;#039;adaptogen&amp;#039; - assisting your adrenals as &amp;#039;shock absorbers&amp;#039; to cope better with stress, preventing a trigger-happy reaction of excessive adrenaline release. 8. Black Cohosh is the herb of choice for hot flushes. Importantly,\u00A0it does not increase oestrogen levels and has no effect on cells in the vagina or womb. This is vital because this is where the risks are with HRT, which increases oestrogen levels and stimulates tissue in various places in the body (including the womb and breast) and therefore can increase the risk of cancer. Black cohosh offers relief without oestrogen-like effect.\u00A0 Black Cohosh acts as a SERM - selective oestrogen receptor modulator \u2013 promoting it in organs where oestrogen is needed, such as the bones, while acting as an \u00A0&amp;#039;anti-oestrogen&amp;#039; in organs where unnecessary oestrogen can be dangerous, for example the breast and womb. Try NHP&amp;#039;s Black Cohosh Plus (naturalhealthpractice.com, \u00A324.77). "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.prima.co.uk/diet-and-health/healthy-living/a34777/how-to-stop-hot-flushes-menopause/>