Estrogen fluctuations cause hot flashes before menstruation
Many young women are startled when they suddenly feel hot flashes, red skin, sweating, or rapid heartbeat right before and during menstruation. This condition is often mistaken for menopause, but according to experts, hot flashes can completely appear during menstruation due to hormonal fluctuations.
Dr. Sadhna Singhal, a gynecologist at Cloudnine Hospital (New Delhi, India), said that intense heat often begins on the face, neck or chest, lasts for a few minutes, and may then be accompanied by chills. "When estrogen levels drop before menstruation, the hypothalamus in the brain, the body temperature regulating center, may misunderstand that the body is overheated and trigger a heat-extracted reaction, causing hot flashes," she explained.
According to research in the Journal of Mid-Life Health, more than 80% of menopausal women experience hot flashes. However, this phenomenon is not limited to the 40-50 age group. In some cases, this may be a sign of premature menopause or premature ovarian failure. National Institutes of Health estimate that premature ovarian failure affects about 1 in 100 women under 40 years old, with symptoms similar to menopause.
Not only hormones, stress, blood sugar and lifestyle contribute
Besides estrogen, stress is also an important factor. Research in the journal Menopause shows that women with a strong anxiety response are more prone to hot flashes. Professor JoAnn Pinkerton, Executive Director of the North American Menopause Society, working at the University of Virginia, USA, said: "The sympathetic nervous system when triggered by stress will change the thermoregulatory mechanism, making women more sensitive to hormone fluctuations.
In addition, hypoglycemia due to irregular eating, dehydration during menstruation, consumption of a lot of caffeine or use of hormonal contraceptives can also make symptoms more obvious.
To control it, experts recommend drinking enough water, maintaining a balanced diet rich in green vegetables, soybeans, flaxseed; limiting coffee and spicy foods; practicing meditation, deep breathing. Some studies show that cherry blossom oil can reduce hot flashes, but users need to consult a doctor before supplementing.
