Studies in Japan, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Mexico suggest that 10 percent or less of menopausal women experience hot flashes. Many will be able to cope with them without using anything. Many others will have very difficult hot flashes that require some form of treatment. Night sweats and hot flashes can be tough to handle and can cause interrupted sleep, insomnia, panic attacks, anxiety, depression can lead to extreme fatigue and anxiety. Hot flashes can be categorized as mild, moderate or severe.
Mild flashes last less than a minute and produce a feeling of warmth with little or no perspiration.
Moderate flashes are warmer, produce obvious perspiration, and last 2 to 3 minutes. Severe flashes causes profuse perspiration, generate intense heat, last longer and interfere with ongoing activity. It is more practical to dress in layers so that clothing can be removed and added as needed. Natural remedies work in conjunction with a healthy diet and adequate exercise and tend to work more slowly. It is important when using herbs and vitamins to pay attention to our bodies' responses and to remember that natural doesn't mean we can take large amounts of a substance without thinking of side effects.