All Hot and Bothered?

Millions of women across the world are heading into, or currently experiencing menopause, with many looking for support to manage their symptoms as they go through these changes. 

Estrogen and progesterone, two primary hormones in the female body, need to work in harmony to perform their many and complex regulatory functions. As women age, levels of these hormones become imbalanced as the body produces much less of them. Symptoms of this imbalance can include hot flashes, night sweats, moodiness, low libido, irritability and more. 

Out of all these unpleasant conditions approximately 80-90% experience hot flashes. A hot flash is a brief sensation of heat that may include a red face, sweating, rapid heart rate or chills. Of the women who experience hot flashes during perimenopause or menopause, 25-30% state they are severe enough to interfere with their quality of life - which is why many women seek hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Although many studies have shown HRT to be effective in relieving hot flashes, the New England Journal of Medicine reports woman receiving HRT have a 46% higher risk of developing breast cancer over women not receiving HRT, concluding that the trade-offs between risks and benefits should be carefully assessed. 

Those looking for a natural alternative can turn to plants containing compounds known as phytoestrogens  - these function similar to the hormone estriol, the weakest type of estrogen. Phytoestrogens, which mimic the effects of estriol by binding with estrogen receptors in the body to provide a weak estrogenic effect.  

Over 20 years ago the research team at Nature’s Sunshine developed a plant based formulation called Flash Ease - this product has been a go to for mature women ever since. It contains two important plants: Dong Quai and Black Cohosh, both widely known and used for menopausal conditions including hot flashes. Nature's Sunshine Flash-Ease provides 10 -12 hours of time-release herb for optimal day and night protection.