A high percentage of women in the premenopause and postmenopause years experience hot flashes and night sweats.  In fact, the National Institutes of Health recently published a report called the “State-of-the-Science Statement on the Management of Menopause-Related Symptoms”.

In this article, the authors write that 30% to 80% of women in menopause regularly experience this sudden, intense, hot, perspiring feeling in their face and upper body.

A diminished level of estrogen has a direct effect on the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling our body temperature, sleep cycles, and hormones.  The menopausal drop in estrogen confuses the hypothalamus, which is sometimes referred to as the body’s “thermostat”, and makes it read “too hot.”

Lifestyle Tips

Here are some things you can do to reduce the discomfort from hot flashes and night sweats:

Dress in layers so you can peel them off as you get warmer.  Stick to…