Unlocking the Root Cause of Perimenopausal Hot Flashes: A Holistic Approach to Managing Symptoms

Changes in hormone levels can lead to these pesky sweaty periods… specifically when estrogen levels start to decrease.

Years ago, back in my retail days I heard a colleague refer to them as “power surges” instead of hot flashes, which I really enjoyed!

Although hormones are often given the blame for perimenopause symptoms, what you should understand is that any imbalance in your hormones is also a symptom! At Aligned Natural Health we help you dig deeper and find the root cause of WHY you’re dealing with all of the symptoms to begin with.

Here are 3 big contributors we often see, that Western Medicine typically either doesn’t even consider, or dismisses:

Parasites can cause changes in hormone levels by disrupting the hormonal system, which is responsible for regulating metabolic processes, growth, and development. Some parasites can produce hormones that mimic those of the host, causing the host’s hormonal system to become unbalanced.

Mold can cause changes in hormone levels by producing toxins known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can interfere with the production of hormones and the body’s ability to regulate them correctly. Mold is also one of the hardest things to find when there’s a hormone issue, but if it’s something that appears suddenly, mold is often involved!

Endocrine disruptors are substances that mimic or interfere with the body’s natural hormones. They can bind to hormone receptors, block the release of hormones, or interfere with the way hormones are broken down and removed from the body. This can lead to increased or decreased levels of hormones, which can cause a variety of symptoms.

If any of these 3 factors are the true reason behind your imbalanced hormones, they need to be addressed first! This is a big reason why thing like hormone replacement therapy or bio identical hormones often don’t work! If parasites, mold of endocrine disruptors are stopping the body from managing hormones properly, adding MORE hormones to the mix isn’t going to help.

Hot flashes can be mild, a slight warm feeling, or pretty extreme! Like, enough to make you kick off the covers in the middle of the night and want to jump in any icy shower!

If you go to your doctor for help with your hot flashes, they often don’t have much to offer. “That’s just a normal part of aging” is something many clients have shared with me that they were told.

As a result, many women are seeking a more holistic approach to manage this symptom because for many women medicine offers no relief at all!

Holistic medicine focuses on the whole person, including their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In the case of perimenopausal hot flashes, a holistic approach considers not only the physiological changes but also the emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual. Here are some holistic approaches to manage hot flashes in perimenopause:

1. Mind-body practices: Practices such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation have been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes. These practices help to reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can reduce the intensity of hot flashes.

2. Diet and nutrition: Certain foods and drinks can trigger hot flashes in some women. These include spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and sugar.

3. Herbal remedies: Many herbs have been used traditionally to alleviate menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes. These include black cohosh, dong quai, and red clover. It is important to work with a practitioner before using herbal remedies to make sure you are choosing options that are the exact, right supplements for what your body needs! If you’d like help with finding the right remedies, we can help.

4. Acupuncture: Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in reducing hot flashes in some women. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body.

5. Lifestyle changes: Making certain lifestyle changes can also help to manage hot flashes. These include avoiding triggers such as hot drinks and alcohol, wearing lightweight clothing, and practicing stress-reducing activities such as deep breathing and relaxation techniques.1.

In conclusion, hot flashes in perimenopause can be managed using a holistic approach that considers the whole person. Mind-body practices, diet and nutrition, herbal remedies, acupuncture, and lifestyle changes can all play a role in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

If you are experiencing hot flashes, we can help find the exact, right solution for your unique body!

Where Western Medicine often takes a more one-size-fits-all approach, at Aligned Natural Health we have seen over and over again just how valuable it is to treat each client in a way that’s personalized and custom to what their body actually needs.

With the right approach, hot flashes do not have to be a major disruption to your daily life during perimenopause.