No Need to Panic When Feeling Hot During Menstruation, Here's Why

Overcoming Hot Flashes During Menstruation and Identify the Causes

Dream - Menstruation is a natural part of the reproductive cycle experienced by every woman. However, it is not uncommon for women to experience symptoms that can make them feel uncomfortable during menstruation.

No Need to Panic When Feeling Hot During Menstruation, Here's Why

One of the symptoms that some women may experience is hot flashes or sudden heat that occurs during menstruation. These hot flashes often occur in women who are in their 40s.

What is meant by Hot Flash?

Hot flash is a sudden sensation of heat that occurs in the upper body and face. Hormonal changes can affect how the body regulates its temperature. The symptoms of hot flash include redness of the skin, rapid heartbeat, sweating, anxiety, and a sudden sensation of heat occurring in the chest, neck, or face.

"Causes of Hot Flashes During Menstruation"
1. Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the term for the period leading up to menopause. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), menstruation still occurs during perimenopause. However, menstruation can become irregular or have a different pattern each month. Perimenopause usually begins at the age of 40 and can last up to 10 years.

Hot flashes often occur at night. In addition to hot flashes, people going through perimenopause may also experience difficulty sleeping, headaches, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.

2. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome that can trigger feelings of depression, anxiety, or despair.

2. Gangguan disforik pramenstruasi (PMDD)

Apart from that, PMDD can also cause hot flashes, nausea, swelling, skin irritation, and pain. PMDD symptoms usually appear a week before menstruation and improve a few days after menstruation. PMDD is caused by serotonin, a chemical that regulates mood and other bodily functions.

3. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a disorder that affects a woman's ovaries, causing the cessation or decrease in the release of eggs during menstruation. POI can occur at any age and sometimes causes symptoms similar to menopause, such as hot flashes.

Some other factors that can cause women to experience hot flashes during menstruation include hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid, medication side effects, stress and anxiety, as well as tumors.

4. Early Menopause

The average age of menopause is 51 years old. According to the National Institutes of Health, early menopause is diagnosed when someone experiences it before the age of 40. Hot flashes that occur before the age of 40 may be an indication that they are experiencing early menopause.

Some conditions or specific treatments can trigger or accelerate menopause, such as autoimmune diseases, uterus removal surgery, endocrine disorders, certain cancer treatments, certain infections, and smoking.

"How to Overcome Hot Flashes"

Overcoming the underlying causes of hot flashes can help reduce their frequency in women. If these hot flashes are related to conditions such as early menopause or endocrine disorders like POI, the doctor will first focus on alleviating the symptoms.

To overcome hot flashes, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) recommends making lifestyle changes. Such as limiting caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, reducing stress through cognitive behavioral therapy and breathing exercises, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking. If lifestyle changes are not successful, doctors usually recommend hormone replacement therapy or non-hormonal medications such as paroxetine (Paxil) to manage hot flashes.

"Alternative Treatments"
1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture can reduce hot flash frequency by up to 36.7% after 6 months, and this benefit still continues up to 29.4% after 1 year. Acupuncture can provide long-term benefits for some people experiencing hot flashes.

2. Licorice Licorice root or extract can relieve the heat sensation caused by menopause. Licorice can alleviate hot flashes better than a placebo. However, it is important to remember, my dear dream friend, that licorice is not safe for everyone. 3. Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) EPO can alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for those experiencing hot flashes. Additionally, EPO can also help the body produce prostaglandins that can suppress hormonal hot flashes.

Report: Aisyah Cryshanty/ Source: Medicalnewstoday.com Dream.co.id is available on WhatsApp Channel, follow to know the latest information on this link https://bit.ly/DreamcoidWAChannel.

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