In this re-released episode from 2020, Dr. Lisa and Dr. Toni are talking about a hot topic: hot flashes! Whether you call it a hot flash or hot flush, they can be an annoying and uncomfortable symptom that you may start to experience in perimenopause. We discuss: what hot flashes are and why they happen; the potential causes and triggers for your hot flashes and night sweats; and what you can do about them so you don’t have to suffer.
According to research, anywhere from 35%–50% of perimenopausal women suffer sudden waves of body heat with sweating and flushing that last 5–10 minutes.
What is a hot flash?
A hot flash or vasomotor flush can vary from feeling slightly warm to more like a fire from the inside out. They can come on rapidly and last anywhere from 1-10 minutes.
You may get them anywhere from a few times per week to more than 10 times during the day and night. They can be combined with visible flushing with your chest, neck and face turning red, with a little bit or a lot of sweat.
Hot flashes often continue for a year or two after menopause, but in up to 10% of women, they persist for years beyond that. They can disrupt your sleep, which can worsen: fatigue, irritability, anxiety, metabolism, weight control and immune system function.
Why do you get hot flashes?
Although hot flashes have been studied for more than 30 years, no one is absolutely certain why or how they occur. The Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR) at UBC attributes hot flashes to “estrogen withdrawal”, as their research has found that hot flashes closely resemble an addict’s drug withdrawal due to the hormonal associations and brain effects seen.
Your level of estrogen while in perimenopause is fluctuating and can be unpredictable. When your estrogen level drops from normal to low or high to normal, it can trigger a hot flash in your body.
Estrogen drops can trigger the release of your stress hormone norepinephrine, as well as other stress hormones and brain neurotransmitters. Norepinephrine narrows the range of body temperature where you feel comfortable (also called your thermoneutral zone) so you’re more sensitive to both heat and cold.
A hot flash is a vasomotor symptom where your blood vessels dilate to release more heat because of the narrowing of your thermoneutral zone.
Causes of hot flashes can include:
Blood sugar imbalances that can trigger your stress hormones, resulting in you feeling hot and wired
High stress and cortisol levels that can worsen night sweats
Inadequate detoxification through your organs of elimination or emunctories. Things that can make your hot flashes worse by negatively affecting your body’s ability to detox include:
smoking, constipation, being overweight, not exercising and not sweating (via exercise and sauan usage)
Triggers are different for each women. It is useful to keep a hot flash journal, tracking your potential triggers such as:
Hot drinks, caffeine, alcohol
Sugar, spicy foods, garlic
Nightshades like tomatoes, eggplant, peppers
Perceived stress or stressful situations
What can you do about your hot flashes?
Avoid your known triggers
Manage your temperature
Turn your thermostat down, put on a fan or A/C
Sleep naked or in loose-fitting breathable cotton
Under-dress during the day and wear layers
Use a breathable weighted blanket like ZonLi, Chilipad or gel pillow
Drink cool or ice water
Use an essential oil spray with peppermint, clary sage, geranium
Manage your stress
Have stress-releasing time EVERY DAY! Be proactive to improve your response to stress
Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, singing, humming
Get a sweat going during the day with exercise, sauna or a hot bath
Include liver-detoxifyng and phyto-estrogenic foods
Ground flaxseeds (can add to chia pudding, smoothies, cereal, yogurt)
Organic fermented soy like miso soup or tempeh
Brassica vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts
See a Naturopathic Doctor for hormone testing and individualized treatment including:
Herbs like maca, vitex, black cohosh, sage, red clover, pueraria (Thai kudzu), hops, milk thistle, dandelion, artichoke
Nutrients like berberine, plant sterols, N-acetyl cysteine, magnesium, vitamin E, L-glycine
Acupuncture
Homeopathy
Bio-identical hormone creams
Natural progesterone has been shown in recent research to be safe and effective for hot flashes and night sweats, avoiding some of the adverse effects of classic estrogen therapy or synthetic estrogen with synthetic progesterone (progestin)
Today’s Mama Must Have:
Dr. Toni has a favourite oat and fruit bar recipe for a quick and easy breakfast or snack that Frankie loves:
Dr. Toni’s Banana and Fruit Breakfast Bars
3 ripe bananas
1 cup chopped apricots, cranberries, dates and/or prunes
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup sunflower and/or pumpkin seeds
1 cup milled flax seed
⅓ cup olive oil
1 tsp vanilla
Mash bananas and combine with fruit and oil. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spread onto a pan or cookie sheet and flattened with a fork. Bake at 375oF for 10-15 minutes until slightly browned.
Dr. Lisa found a tasty gluten-free beer called Glutenberg to enjoy in moderation on hot summer days.
Thank you for joining us today!
Email us or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. We’d love you to subscribe, leave us a review and a 5-star rating if you enjoyed this episode.
Please tell your perimenopausal mama friends about us, too!
You can also support us by visiting our Patreon page.
Stay safe and healthy everyone!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this presentation is not meant to replace treatment with a licensed health care practitioner. It is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor or other licensed health care professional to determine which treatments are safe for you.
In today’s episode, we are reviewing all the tips from our recent 10 Day Healthy Hormone Challenge. These simple tips help to support your hormone balance, increase your energy and support your overall health.
Tip #1: Aim to drink 2 litres of water daily, including herbal tea
Benefits of drinking water include:
Avoid dehydration symptoms like headaches and low energy
Keeping hunger at bay
Helping with weight management and metabolism
Recommended strategies you can use to get the most out of your water intake:
Use a filter like Santevia or Berkey to reduce contaminants like lead and other heavy metals, as well as prescription medications that can unfortunately be found in your water supply
Drink warm water first thing in the morning to support your digestion
Use an app like Water Minder to remind you to drink your water
Always keep a glass or mug by your desk at home or work to refill throughout the day
Bring a reusable water bottle with you everywhere
Tip #2: Reduce stress with deep breathing
Benefits of deep breathing exercises include:
Better stress management and lower stress hormone cortisol
Increased mental clarity, concentration, memory and focus
Decreased anxiety
Improved sleep
Lower blood pressure
Box Breathing: inhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, exhale for a count of 4
Get in deep breathing throughout the day by taking a few deep breaths:
When you link it to the colour red, for example, at a stop sign or red light
When you hear your phone ring or beep from a notification
Tip #3: Increase your fibre intake to at least 25 grams daily
Fibre helps binding up your used hormones and other garbage to support toxin elimination and proper hormone balance. Different types of fibre are found in vegetables, fruit, legumes, beans, nuts and seeds
To remove pesticide residues from conventional non-organic produce, consider soaking all fruit and veggies in 10% vinegar and washing with baking soda.
Tip #6: Balance hormones by supporting estrogen detoxification
Symptoms of perimenopause can often be linked to relative estrogen excess and progesterone deficiency. These can include:
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Trouble losing weight
PMS
Breast tenderness
Cruciferous vegetables can support your liver’s ability to detoxify excess estrogens. Eat lightly steamed or sauteed veggies for easier digestion, especially during the winter. These can include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, rutabaga, bok choy, collard greens and turnip.
Quick tip: Buy frozen and organic cauliflower, broccoli or vegetable medley mix, then lightly steam or serve sauteed.
One of our favourite cruciferous veggie recipes is this Roasted Cauliflower Dip (paleo, gluten-free and dairy-free).
Tip #7: Eat more detoxifying herbs
Herbs that support liver and kidney function with extra antioxidants include: cilantro, parsley, coriander, turmeric, ginger, garlic
Enjoy detoxifying herbs like milk thistle, dandelion root, schizandra and burdock root daily in tea form by buying a blend like Traditional Medicinals or make your own blend with this recipe for Herb and Fruit Infused Water.
Tip #8: Get your sleep
Between hot flashes and not being able to turn your brain off, sleep can be a challenge in perimenopause. Get your body ready for a deep and restful sleep with proper sleep etiquette.
Benefits of physical activity and movement include:
Decreasing stress hormones
Supporting circulation
Improving mental health
Decreasing Liver Qi stagnation symptoms like PMS
How do you fit more movement into your day?
Exercise snacks: get up from desk every hour – plank, squats, jumping jacks or walk down the hall
Play with the kids outside: bundle up and walk to the park or enjoy the snow by making snow angels or snowman
Walk your kids to and from school or daycare
Park at the far end of the parking lot to get in more steps
Have a dance party at home
Ask yourself: Is it time to join a gym, yoga studio or sports team?
Tip #10: Green your personal care products
The chemicals in your body care products will be absorbed through your skin, so be mindful of the products you use. Avoid chemicals that can interfere with your hormone balance and possibly increase your cancer risk.
Use EWG’s Skin Deep Database at to see if the products you are using right now pass the test. Start to switch out the products that get a questionable rating.
Try out one new tip every week and do your best to support your hormone balance.
Mama Must Have:
Dr. Lisa recommends dry skin brushing to support lymphatic circulation for eliminating toxins and exfoliating your skin.
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Thank you for joining us today!
Have any comments, suggestions or burning questions? Email us or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. We’d love you to subscribe, leave us a review and a 5 star rating if you enjoyed this episode.
Please tell your perimenopausal mama friends about us, too!
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