> Q&A: What Alternative Therapies Are Available for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats?

Q&A: What Alternative Therapies Are Available for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats?

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Because of the health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, many women want to know what alternative therapies are available for hot flashes. There are many alternatives available. Some people even recommend supplements like vitamin B for hot flashes. Here we look at some of the herbs and vitamins that may be help relieve hot flashes and night sweats. Not all products work for all women, but there are some products that seem to be more effective than others.

What alternative therapies are available for hot flashes?

Much research has been conducted concerning alternative therapies for hot flashes. Everything from acupuncture to Zoloft has been tried. In this article we focus mainly on herbs and vitamin supplements that have been shown to be effective, but the first place to start is with diet, exercise and lifestyle. Caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants can bring on hot flashes. Regular exercise seems to reduce the number and frequency for some women. Once you are exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet, adding herbs and vitamin supplements should relieve most, if not all of your symptoms.

Does taking vitamin B for hot flashes work?

According to a recent report published by the University of California, there are clinical trials that support the effectiveness of vitamin B supplements for painful menstruation, but there are no studies concerned specifically with the effectiveness of taking vitamin B for hot flashes.

The B complex vitamins are important for overall good health. Vitamin B3 or Niacin is found in every cell of the body. One small study at Columbia University in New York demonstrated that estrogen levels rose in obese postmenopausal women after implementing a vitamin regimen including C, B6, B12 and folic acid (another vitamin belonging to the B complex group).

If decreased levels of estrogen cause hot flashes, something no one is sure about, then this study seems to indicate that taking vitamin B for hot flashes could be effective for women who do not get enough in their diet. Generally speaking, a good daily multi-vitamin should be a part of every woman's routine.

What alternative therapies are available for hot flashes and night sweats?

Hot flashes and night sweats are similar, but night sweats can disturb a woman's quality of sleep, which in turn can lead to insomnia, irritability and other emotional issues. Most products that effectively reduce hot flashes, work for night sweats, as well. Additionally, women have found that sleeping in a cooler room, using a fan and wearing lightweight cotton clothing to bed is helpful.

What alternative therapies are available for hot flashes that really work?

As previously mentioned there are many therapies that work for some women. Step one is to eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, quit smoking and limit caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. The most effective herb for relieving hot flashes, according to clinical research, is black cohosh. Soy isoflavones, which are a type of plant estrogen, is nearly as effective as black cohosh. Red clover isoflavones have been shown to be effective in some studies, but not in others. Some supplement companies have products that contain several different herbs, minerals and other plant components designed to provide the most relief possible for women suffering from symptoms of menopause.

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