Premenstrual Syndrome not Necessarily Accompanied by Hot Flashes: Research

A recent research proved that women who have premenstrual syndrome (PMS) before menopause may not necessarily experience hot flashes later.

But, the researchers said that there can be other menopause problems which include memory and focus problems in women.

It was for the first time a link was developed between PMS and deteriorating quality of life after menopause which was done by a research team at the Helsinki University Central Hospital and Folkhalsan Research Institute in Helsinki, Finland.

The study was conducted by making 120 healthy postmenstrual women, who had not taken hormones, answer a questionnaire on their premenstrual symptoms which they had experienced and on their health conditions in the present. The researchers during the study also had volunteers who were asked to keep a diary to record the frequency and intensity of their hot flashes.

Out of the total women, 90 percent could recall their PMS. And, out of those 90 percent, half of them shared their experience of having a troubled work, social, and personal life due to the symptoms and around 40 percent rated their PMS as moderate or severe.

The analysis made on the study, showed that hot flashes did not have noteworthy relationship with PMS. However, the symptoms showed significant links with depression, sleeplessness, feeling of not appearing attractive, and with memory and concentration problems after menopause.

The research has been published online in the journal Menopause.

What are Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are temporary sensations of heat which are followed by a red flushed face and a lot of sweating.
Such flashes occur when the blood vessels near the skin’s surface dilate to cool. The sweating occurs in order to cool down the body. Hot flashes can also be accompanied by fast heart beat or chills.

How to Prevent Hot Flashes?

Avoiding hot flashes may not be possible completely during menopause but, you can certainly avoid habits which trigger them. To prevent hot flashes you must avoid:

• Stress
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Spicy Food
• Tight Clothes
• Heat
• Smoking

You can also prevent hot flashes by keeping your bedroom cool at night time and using fans during day. You must take out time for deep breathing 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening. Also, as soon as you start experiencing hot flashes you can start deep breathing to have some relief. You must also exercise daily or must go for swimming and dancing to have relief from hot flashes.

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