A common complaint in menopause is hot flashes. I used to work with a woman who had such severe hot flashes that she wanted to turn on the air conditioning at eight in the morning! She promised it would just be for a short time, so the rest of us put our coats back on and waited for that blessed moment when she would finally be comfortable again.
Just another happy day in the world of menopause. Surprisingly for some women, chills and cold flashes bother them more than hot flashes.
What causes these fluctuations? Fluctuating hormones of course. When you have a hot flash, your blood vessel dilates to help cool you off. When the hot flash subsides, your skin may still be wet and clammy, and that’s when you may experience severe chills and shivering.
How to Deal with Cold Flashes
Eat a Piece of Dark Chocolate
This is a personal favorite of mine. However, dark chocolate has many health benefits. Don’t go hog-wild and scarf down one of those huge chocolate bars, but a small piece can really do the trick.
Wear Hand Warmers
Diamonds may be a woman’s best friend but hand warmers run a close second.
Hand warmers are especially nice in the winter, and don’t cost an arm and a leg to buy. They come in small packets, which are held in the hand. Warming your hands makes you feel warm all over. You can find hand warmers at most drug stores or online so watch for sales so you can lay in a good supply.
Stuff a handwarmer in each pocket for instant warmth.
Put on Warm Fuzzy Slippers
If you’re like me, you can’t go barefoot very long until your feet are freezing. That’s where a nice warm pair of slippers can save the day. Suede slippers are lined with real fur and feature a cork- infused rubber outsole that allows you to wear them inside and outside.
Soak in a Hot Bath
There are so many benefits of taking a hot bath. A hot bath can help you relax after a stressful day, and relieve arthritis and muscle pain. After your bath, put on a warm robe and slippers so you don’t get chilled. I like using a space heater for a short time to warm my bedroom.
Use an Electric Blanket
I love to crank that dial up to almost ten and then when it is bedtime, I have a nice warm bed. If you don’t have an electric blanket, plug in a heating pad and slip in between your covers. This should only take an hour or two, and it feels so warm and toasty when you’re ready to go to sleep. You may feel more comfortable wearing a pair of socks to bed.
Final Thoughts
If you still feel chilled and nothing seems to be working, schedule an appointment with your doctor. You may need medication, and at the very least, he can suggest some lifestyle tips that may work.
