If finding the right menopause relief meds has you sweating, we’ve got a hot flash news flash.
The end of summer doesn’t always mean cooling down — just ask any woman dealing with hot flashes. If you’re in the throes of menopause, you’re probably already aware that these pesky flashes and night sweats are two of the most uncomfortable symptoms that come with this transition. But even if you know that hot flashes could be on the horizon, for a lot of women, the first one comes as a shock. In fact, waking up in soaked sheets might have you running to the market for a Covid test or checking to see if your thermostat is broken — before you realize this is a telltale symptom of menopause.
If you’re new on the hot-flash scene, you might have no idea what to do after the initial one hits. Luckily, there are a number of ways to mitigate these unpleasantly steamy experiences. For some women, certain lifestyle or diet changes may do the trick; others might decide to try hormone-replacement therapy, which requires a prescription and isn’t an option for everyone. Others still might try nonhormonal or over-the-counter treatment options.
We asked Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG and Chief Medical Officer at Bonafide Health to talk us through all of these hot-flash relief options — including Thermella, a new nonhormonal supplement that blocks hot flashes at their source — so you can make the decision that’s right for you.
Consider a lifestyle change
As a practicing OB/GYN with expertise in nutrition, Dr. Dweck believes that when it comes to menopause, that old adage “You are what you eat” still rings true. “The link between menopause and nutrition is one we’re still learning about,” says Dr. Dweck, “but I think it’s a really important area for women to understand when they’re considering how to handle hot flashes.”
First and foremost, says Dr. Dweck, it’s never too late to start being mindful about what you eat: “It’s not about dieting,” she says, “It’s about eating in a way that supports a healthy lifestyle. I generally suggest a Mediterranean style diet to all my patients, but it can be particularly helpful for perimenopausal or menopausal women.” The Mediterranean diet recommends eating plenty of fish — which are rich with omega-3 fatty acids — and leafy greens, as well as fruits high in vitamin C and antioxidants (to reduce inflammation and help with immune support). While lifestyle modifications may reduce hot-flash triggers, these changes won’t block the source of hot flashes.
Stop hot flashes at the source
Hot flashes are commonly triggered by a peptide called neurokinin B (or NKB). Estrogen helps regulate NKB activity, which is why we don’t experience hot flashes until menopause— when estrogen levels rapidly decline, NKB becomes more active. This excess of NKB activity causes an imbalance in the body’s thermoregulatory center making you quickly overheat, which is why your body starts sweating.
Historically, the only way to stop hot flashes has been with HRT, which adds back estrogen and balances NKB activity. The decision to try hormone-replacement therapy is one that’s unique to every woman, and Dr. Dweck says her patients vary in their opinions: “I write dozens of prescriptions for hormones, and for most women, hormone-replacement therapy is safe and well-tolerated.” But there are many women, says Dr. Dweck, for whom HRT isn’t the right choice: “Some women have medical issues that prevent them from using hormone therapy. Others simply don’t like the idea of it, or are concerned about the potential side effects. The good news is, there are well studied nonhormonal options for alleviating menopause symptoms, particularly hot flashes.”
One of those options is Thermella, a new nonprescription supplement from Bonafide that effectively blocks NKB activity thanks to a unique formulation of three ingredients you’ve probably heard of: curcumin, spirulina extract, and decaffeinated green tea extract. Curcumin, which is the compound that gives turmeric its bright yellow color, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while spirulina (a type of blue-green algae) and green tea extract both contain antioxidants. In clinical trials of Thermella, most women saw significant relief from their hot flashes in about two weeks. “Hot flashes and night sweats can be so disruptive for my patients; many of whom are interested in a nonhormonal remedy,” says Dr. Dweck.
Make an informed decision
Left untreated, hot flash symptoms persist for an average of seven years, so the sooner you start treating them, the better. If you decide to go with either a hormonal or nonhormonal prescription option, your doctor will explain all of the risks and benefits involved in taking it. Like any pharmaceutical, these drugs have undergone rigorous trial testing to prove they’re safe and effective for women to use.
If you decide to try something over-the-counter, Dr. Dweck suggests seeking out a product that was studied in clinical trials before it hit shelves. She also recommends seeking out products that are transparent about how and why they work: “If a product is effective, the company is going to want to broadcast that to consumers by sharing the science to back it up,” she says. “Look for products that are supported by clinical testing and publicly share those results.”
Dr. Dweck says she decided to work for Bonafide Health — the makers of Thermella — because of the rigorous testing the company does on each product before taking it to market. “First and foremost, I’m a physician,” she says, “so my priority is always my patients’ safety. Since I see how these products are researched, developed, tested, and reviewed, I can personally attest to their safety and efficacy.” She’s confident in recommending Thermella because of its plant-based ingredients and patented formulation created by her R&D colleagues.
When you went through your last major hormonal shift — either puberty or pregnancy — nobody expected you to just grin and bear it, and menopause shouldn’t be any different. By making informed choices, women can navigate menopause with greater comfort and control over their symptoms than ever before. And all you have to do is decide where to start.
