Hot
Flashes Additional information at:
HORMONES
BLACK COHOSH
XENOESTROGENS
What will help with hot
flashes? I have liver cysts and do not want to take HRT.
Veniafaxine (Effexor)
Effexor is a new treatment for hot flashes, an alternative to hormonal based treatments. It useful for women with breast cancer who cannot take hormones. Effexor is useful for us with cystic livers. Cystic livers have hormone receptors that stimulate their growth. A clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic found that Effexor substantially reduced hot flashes in 62 percent of women. MPA was another leg of the trial. However MPA might slightly increase breast cancer risk. With a decline in hormone replacement therapy there was seen a 7% decline in breast cancer.
Black Cohosh CAUTION is another alternative herbal treatment called remifemin. Effexor is a better alternative. December 18, 2006 Study SEATTLE -- Black cohosh alone or with other botanical therapies was no better than placebo at relieving hot flashes or other vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, found the Herbal Alternatives for Menopause (HALT) trial. Read more.
Liver Cysts
Avoid
all caffeine and hormones.
Food
which precipitate hot flashes. AVOID
There are certain foods which will cause hot flashes. These foods
we know instinctively are not good for us to eat, such as: coffee,
tea, sugars, fried foods, potato chips, peanuts, pastries, candies,
concentrated sugars and more.
DIMS
diindolylmethane or Broccoli Sprouts
This
is the one food which increases the liver's metabolism of estrogen.
Hot flashes are caused by a surge of a particular type of estrogen
progesterone hormone. I just had a saliva hormone test done and all
my estrogens - estrionole, estradiole, etc were all low. The only
in normal range was testosterone. I was told in a woman if testosterone
is low, this is what causes the tear-y episodes usually associated
around the menses. DIMs is an expensive supplement to purchase. I
get mine from New Chapter Vitamins. It is called Broccolive –
all organic food source of DIMs.
A cheaper form of DIMs is to sprout your own broccoli sprouts, and
eat a cup daily. I wrap broccoli sprouts in a corn tortilla, along
with avocado, onion, garlic, parsley leaf. I have this with a spicy
lentil soup. Another DIM food is cabbage juice. I juice a half a cabbage
daily. First I put an apple through the juicer, then I put the half
a cabbage. My husband and I toast each other daily - with the to your
health salute - as we bottoms up the little two ounce glasses of cabbage
juice.
Turmeric
Organic
turmeric is an herb which helps the liver to better metabolize estrogen
by products.
Saffron
Organic
saffron is an herb
which helps the liver to better metabolize estrogen by products and
greatly helps to heal the liver.
Milk
Thistle
Organic
milk thistle is an herb which helps to heal the liver.
If
you would like more information email.
Yam Progesterone Cream
Transdermal Hormone Cream AVOID
I used the all natural yam progesterone cream for about a year and
even this cream caused my liver cysts to grow. I have heard others
with liver cysts say that the transdermal hormonal cream also produces
liver cyst growth. In theory it is supposed to by-pass the liver and
not cause any growth.
Yoga
Gentle yoga stretches, squeeze the organs causing them to be bathed
in a rich fresh blood supply may help to relieve some of the symptoms.
Or if this does not appeal - how about a gentle walk in nature?
I had my ovaries and uterus removed at 50. For whatever reason, I
never had any symptoms of menopause. It was a little the opposite.
Shortly after my liver resection and total abdominal hysterectomy,
my mammograms show very dense tissue with a strong estrogen influence,
like from a woman in her twenties. Once a month I would get tear-y
or sensitive - as if I was going to cycle. I asked the doctors about
this and they told me both the pituitary and the adrenals produce
estrogen. I also got breast swelling once a month. 5 years later this
has settled down and by keeping my estrogen levels purposefully low,
I have no symptoms of menopause.
Pennyroyal Oil
There is another herb, which they use in Germany. It is a special
form of vitamin E called pennyroyal oil. This is to be coupled with
drinking 2 liters (quarts) of water a day to help flush out the estrogen
breakdown products. Ladies who live in the tropics have a lower incidence
of hot flashes. This could possibly be because it is so hot, who would
notice? Or it could be that a sauna is used as a treatment to sweat
out the residual estrogen by products of metabolism.
Soy AVOID
With liver cysts I stay away from all soy. It does cause an increase
in growth of liver cysts. Eventually 90% of individuals with PKD have
liver cysts.
Tribulus Terrestris’ protodioscin AVOID
There is a new herb on the market Tribulus terrestris’ protodioscin
that has been used to treat menopause. It is one of several new herbs
said to be the herbal equivalent of Viagra. I increases testosterone levels.
Its use is said to be better for body builders than anabolic steroids. If a
female has low testosterone levels (by a hormonal profile study) this herb might possibly help to
diminish menopause symptoms. Increasing testosterone levels could stimulate liver cyst growth and other symptoms. For this reason, I would avoid this herb.
Calcium
Calcium is another supplement taken in the evening that is said to help with hot flashes. A cup of chamomile tea is high in calcium. Careful with calcium supplements unless prescribed by your doctor. Some forms of calcium can burn the kidneys.
DHEA CAUTION
First before starting DHEA even with small self doses, have
a test for DHEA to see if you are deficient. My DHEA was part of my saliva hormonal profile. The total
cost for this test was over $100. I ordered it online. The results were mailed to me with a forwarded copy to my doctors. My
own DHEA was normal. If you are low in DHEA, this is something to
try - and this can be determined by laboratory tests called a hormonal profile.
The adrenal glands sit on top of kidneys and they produce hormones.
One source said -
"Another cause of menopause hot flashes is adrenal exhaustion.
With healthy women, the adrenals produce progesterone. But over time,
due to stress and aging, the adrenal function in menopausal women
grows weaker, thus leading to menopause hot flashes. "
Another -
"During menopause the ovaries tend to shut down. The adrenal
glands take over and produce estrogen and progesterone in a slightly
different form. If the adrenals are weak a person then has deficiencies
and can experience hot flashes and night sweats. The adrenals get
burnt out with lack of sleep, alcohol, sugar and consuming too much
caffeine."I was told by my naturopathic doctor that certain foods
trigger hot flashes. I asked what were those? She said it was mostly
foods that everyone knows they should not be eating or drinking -
Another source -
" Diet is also an important component when dealing with a menopause
hot flashes. To reduce the number of menopause hot flashes, your diet
should be rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. You should avoid processed
white flour, sugar, alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, and STRESS."
I had the saliva hormonal profile done before hand to see if I was
missing any hormones. Before starting any DIMs, I had my thyroid tested.
The cruciform vegetables should not be taken if one has thyroid difficulties.
Dong Quai AVOID
A study of dong quai, a powdered dried root, used in traditional
Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years: Seventy-one (71) women who suffered
night sweats and hot flashes were randomly assigned to take either
a placebo or dong quai in capsules three times a day for 24 weeks.
At the end of the study,
which was conducted at Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern
California, there were no significant differences in symptoms between
the two groups.
Name: Angelica AVOID
Biological Name: Angelica archangelica, Angelica sinensis
Carrot family, Umbelliferae
Other Names: Angelica, dong-quei, dong-quai, tang-kuei or dang-qui,
dong quai in China.
Parts Used: roots, only the hips of the root, up to the head is used.
Active Compounds:
Coumarins, bergapten, linalool and borneol.
Traditionally, dong quai is believed to have a balancing or adaptogenic
effect on the female hormonal system. Contrary to the opinion of several
authors, dong quai does not qualify as a phytoestrogen or have any
hormone-like actions in the body. A large part of its actions with
regard to premenstrual syndrome may be related to its antispasmodic
actions, particularly on smooth muscles.
History:
Legends says that angelica was revealed in a dream by an angel to
cure the deadly bubonic plague.
In China, angelica has been used for several thousand years to treat
many kinds of female problems. In traditional Chinese medicine, dong
quai is often referred to as the "female ginseng." It is
often included in prescriptions for abnormal menstruation, suppressed
menstrual flow, painful or difficult menstruation, and uterine bleeding.
A traditional use of dong quai was for hot flashes associated with
perimenopause. Dong quai is also used for both men and women with
cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure and problems
with peripheral circulation.
Chinese herbalists advise that for best results, little or no fruit
should be eaten while taking dong-quai. AVOID
any other root teas such as ginseng for 2 to 3 hours after taking this medication. Use vegetables cooked
with a slice of ginger to bring proper balance.
Any non-medicine suggestions for hot flashes? I know that hormones are to be avoided with liver cysts. The following are emails from various individuals.
Non-medical remedies include dressing in layers, sleeping in a cooler room, keeping ice water and a fan nearby, and avoiding possible triggers such as very hot liquids or alcohol. I found this article
from the University of Virginia Health System about alternative health
choices for women. If you've got PLD, PKD, heart problems, are on
immunosuppressants, or are pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor which,
if any, of them are OK for you to use.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I don't have a cure for hot flashes but when they get really bad I
put a wet cool cloth on the back of my neck. It seems to help. I also
drink plenty of cool water. Thinking of something cold actually helps
too.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I used to be very sensitive to cold, requiring extra layers of bedding
at night, multiple layers of clothing during winter days, gloves,
earmuffs, etc. Now I practically strip down to the thinnest possible
clothing all the time. My ears sometimes respond to cold wind, but
the rest of me is always warm. Once I actually had a "hot flash"
in a doctor's office. I went from 110/80 with normal temperature to
145/110 with a temperature of 104 degrees. I had just had my blood
pressure and temperature measured five minutes earlier and the nurse
wasn't wanting to do it again, but I insisted and everybody was surprised
at the results. Five minutes later everything was back to "normal."
The doctor said that she'd never observed one before since they are
"fugitive" events.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I continue to have hot flashes and haven't had a cycle for 10+ years.
Funny enough, going thru the change at age 31, I never had one hot
flash. Those came much later. *I used to stick my head in the freezer
and as much body as I could get. I told my husband it was like I was
in a 400 degree oven ...he can tell right away, my face gets beet
red!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I think some of the very same things that increase cyst growth are
some of the same things that can cause hot flashes.
Diminished functioning of the adrenal glands also can trigger hot
flashes. The adrenals are on top of the renals or the kidneys.
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
My son is an EMT. He noticed my face becoming red as I was experiencing a hot flash. He took my blood pressure and it was 170/90. Once the hot flash passed my blood pressure returned to normal 122/78. Maybe hormones have something to do with blood pressure spikes we experience?
*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At
present I just carry around a Chinese folding fan and wear light clothing
against sudden flare-ups of the internal furnace. After 12 years,
I very much suspect that the continuation of "hot flashes"
has nothing to do with onset of menopause.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The fan sounds like a wonderful useful device. This is good that you
no longer take Dong Quai. AVOID
Dong Quai - Angelica sinensis. This herb has coumadin like qualities.
It may cause you to bleed excessively. Coumadin is a potent blood-thinning
agent. Additionally -
"One study involved dong quai, a powdered dried root, used in
traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. Seventy-one women
who suffered night sweats and hot flashes were randomly assigned to
take either a placebo or dong quai in capsules three times a day for
24 weeks. At the end of the study, which was conducted at Kaiser Permanente
Medical Care Program of Northern California, there were no significant
differences in symptoms between the two groups."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
last updated
Fri November 12, 2010 4:41 PM
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