YOU feel your face flushed in a warm unpleasant glow. Beads of sweat line your forehead and within moments you are desperately fanning yourself with the closest available file or magazine. Your clothes stick uncomfortably to you and you wish you had a pool to jump into.

One of the most uncomfortable physical symptoms of menopause is definitely hot flashes. While some episodes are barely noticeable, others can be debilitating. A hot flash can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and often coming at inappropriate times such as during an emotionally-charged situation.

Described as a sudden warmth in the face and neck area, and sometimes spreading to the chest, a hot flash can last from a few seconds to a half hour. Some women will have several a day, some only once a week, and a lucky few none at all. You may experience a vague awareness precipitating it. You can be dizzy, have a headache, or be emotional. After a while, you may begin to feel tired, irritable, and have trouble concentrating and sleeping. A hot flash that happens at night is known as a "night sweat".

In a warm country like Malaysia, perhaps menopausal women may experience this distressing symptom more often than their peers in countries with cooler climates.

But, there is hope yet. Women have successfully used herbs and vitamins for hundreds of years to ease hot flashes during this natural transition. Research shows that 70 per cent of Chinese doctors still turn to herbal treatments, and up until the 1920s, herbs were regularly used in Western medicine.

One of the more popular herbs is dong quai, which is a primary ingredient in a number of Chinese herbal formulas. It works like oestrogen, by promoting hor- monal balance. There are also phytoestrogens, which are weak oestrogen-like compounds found in tofu and other soy products, as well as Vitamin E. Herbs like black cohosh and to a lesser extent red clover, are also very well-documented for relieving hot flashes.

You should constantly evaluate how you are caring for yourself. If you smoke or drink, quit. Eat moderately and exercise or walk regularly. To ease the discomfort, dress in fabrics that "breathe", such as cotton. Linen is also a good option. Being aware of factors that can trigger such an episode, such as hot coffee or spicy food, also helps. Sometimes, the simplest remedies can ease the discomfort, such as drinking cool water or juice, swimming, or taking a cold shower.

Remember though, these suggestions are not meant to replace care by your doctor, just to offer you a holistic approach to a healthy menopause.


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