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Q. When I started suffering hot flashes, my gynecologist recommended soy instead of hormones. Although adding soy to my diet did not reduce my hot flashes and night sweats, my thyroid levels got worse each time they were checked and I had to increase my dose of levothyroxine.
When I gave up on soy, I had to cut my dose of thyroid hormone to stay within the normal range. Now what can I do for my hot flashes?
A. The effects of soy isoflavones on thyroid activity are confusing. Animal research suggests that soy may interfere with thyroid function, particularly if iodine levels are low (Environmental Health Perspectives, June S-3, 2002).
In a recent study soy did not help hot flashes but actually made them worse (Archives of Internal Medicine, Aug. 8/22, 2011). To ease hot flashes without hormones, you might consider Pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract), black cohosh with St. John's wort or tropical yams (Dioscorea). We are sending you our Guide to Menopause for more details on these and other options.
Some women are enthusiastic about vitamin E: "Five years ago, when I was suffering mightily from hot flashes and night sweats, I did some research and came across vitamin E as a remedy. I tried it and the flashes stopped entirely for over 10 months."
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I am 74 years old, had a total hysterectomy at 50, and have had bothersome hot flashes ever since I stopped taking estratest (hormone) 5 years ago. I am too old for this! I tried prozac, which made me mellow but didn't touch the hot flashes, so I stopped the drug.
I can't wear pull-over sweaters or anything warm I can't hurriedly take off when the hot flashes come, night and day. What to do? MCG
After trying multiple "cures" for hot flashes, I came across a side effect of Cymbalta: it helps reduce or completely eliminate hot flashes! My doctor agreed to let me try it; best thing I ever did.
Soy is interesting -- I've been confused on some of the results. What I read awhile back that seems really true is that fermented soy is dramatically different in its benefits from soy in non-fermented stated. I think a lot of results need to be looked at from this perspective.
I tried everything as my hot flashes began - acupuncture, tofu, miso, soymilk, Chinese herbs, Remifemin (red clover), black cohosh, etc. All worked for awhile and then nothing worked at all. My hot flashes were what I would call "debilitating"! I couldn't sleep, had a very hard time working as a massage therapist since I didn't want to touch anyone while I was flashing every 5 to 10 minutes, then freezing. I have watched what I eat for years and couldn't believe this was happening to me.
Long story short - I went on HRT (estrogen and progesterone patch, lowest dose) and then developed breast cancer after 5 years on HRT. Unable now to do any kind of hormone replacement and watchful of the soy intake since I'm vegetarian, I now know that sugar in any form will bring on a hot flash. I read that for survival in the cold, keep sugar nearby since it will warm your body temperature.
Dried fruit, candy of any sort, most processed foods (anything in a package, jar, can or bottle) contain large amounts of sweeteners. Alcohol too has lots of sugar in it. I recommend limiting sweeteners of all kinds for a healthier life.
In the throes of a hot flash, if you can get something cold on your wrists and/or neck, it shortens it. Breathe deeply in and out of your mouth and try to relax as much as possible, especially your belly. I never wear sweaters that I can't get off quickly, and have blouses with buttons that open easily at the neck. Maybe someday I'll "outgrow" this malady, but the 74 year old who wrote in and is having them, and my 78 year old friend who said they had never stopped for her are signs that I may have a long time to live to outgrow hot flashes!
I tried soy milk, 3 - 8oz glasses a day, after 3-4weeks I became very fuzzy mentally, seriously effecting my job. Stopped the soy and my fuzziness went away. By the way no changes in my hot flashes.
I had to have a total hysterectomy at age 38 due to damage caused from scar tissue. My doc put me on hormone replacement which didn't help the hot flashes. He then recommended Evening Primrose Oil (which you can get just about anywhere that sells herbs in capsules) & it has worked fantastic! I recommended to a friend who had really bad night sweats & it worked wonders for her also!
I have been on the "hot flashes" roller coaster ride for many years. My doctor started me on low dose of Prozac and it helped.
I also take cinnamon tablets twice daily. So, between the two I have achieved very few flash attacks. In trying to get off Prozac I found that I became moody. Not good so I went back on. Perhaps I needed it all along. Now I am a happy hot flasher.
If you do not want to go that route try cinnamon.... no side effect if you stop taking them.
how much vitamin E did you take?
I am 60-- and went thru menopause at 57---my hot flashes are truly debilitating as they keep me up all night. I have hashimotos and my endocrinologist suggested neurontin-- a seizure med- which worked great (100mg) at bedtime for a while, then flashes worse than ever. He said to try doubling the dose at bedtime, an hour apart--- but unless I take some xanax as well-.25mg - and another middle of night-- no sleep or very little. I am going to try more neurontin as doc says this is still a low dose. I recommend trying it as the drug has been around forever and can't find any literature that warns of anything. Worth a try. Talk to your doctor.