Cold Flushes and Our Hormonal Changes

We are all familiar with a hot flush. Some of you may have had the misfortune of experiencing them, but did you know that at the other end of the Peri|Menopausal temperature spectrum are cold flushes.

They may not be so familiar, but they can be just as uncomfortable. A cold flush has been described by women as a shivery, cold feeling that can come over them suddenly. For some, it can be mild, but for others it can feel like they have been hit by an arctic blast and leaving them reaching for the thermals and a hot water bottle.

Approximately 75% of people going through Peri|Menopause experience vasomotor symptoms, which is the dilation and constriction of our blood vessels. These symptoms can include hot flushes, cold flushes and palpitations.

For Women in Business, suffering with cold flushes can be uncomfortable, and embarrassing, especially when in close confines of an office or the boardroom. The impact of cold flushes, in addition to the other 39 changes can be particularly challenging, with 51% of women reporting they take time away from their business or career due to perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.

MY COLD FLUSH STORY

Now I’m Hot Flushing (Read Blog 1.0 Hot Flushes) Now I am having a Cold Flush! I just could not have one without the other.

One minute I would be layered up with jackets and pashminas. Then the next minute I would be taking them off and putting them on the back of my chair in meetings.

Guess what? As my Hot Flush stopped and my Cold Flush started I put the jacket and pashmina back on again! I made myself dizzy let alone what a Boardroom of people thought.

Yet another expert skill I obtained from the “40 Things to Accept Over 40”.

WHAT CAUSES COLD FLUSHES?

Cold flushes are caused by a decrease and fluctuation in oestrogen levels. As these levels drop, it causes an imbalance that has a negative impact on the hypothalamus. This is the part of our brain that is in charge of regulating our body temperature.

Our internal thermostat becomes more sensitive and overactive, this then causes our body to overheat, leading to a hot flush. To counterbalance the heat surge, our bodies then shed this heat – whether we want it to or not.

It is this process of our body trying to cool down, that leads us to suffer the sudden cold flush.

Hormonal imbalances, anxiety and panic are the main causes of cold flushes and they can be just as disruptive as hot flushes.

HOW TO MANAGE COLD FLUSHES

There is not much you can do to stop a cold flush in its tracks, once it has taken hold. The best thing to do is wait for it to pass and for your temperature to regulate itself again. They generally run their course fairly quickly and can pass in a few minutes. However, in some cases they have been known to last up to 20 mins.

Don’t worry, there are a few lifestyle changes that you can make that will help you to manage them and make them more bearable.

Using my MidLife Resilience System will help you regain control over your health. Above all, it will give you the tools to feel empowered as we move through our perimenopause and menopause transition.

MIDLIFE-FOOD

• Triggers – Avoid spicy food, caffeine, alcohol and sugar as these can all trigger cold and hot flushes, making them worse
• Magnesium – This can help bring relief to cold flushes by taking before bed. It alleviates anxiety and helps you to sleep better
• Diary – Keep a food and drink diary to identify what your triggers are

MIDLIFE-SELFCARE

• Clothing – Wear layers during a cold flush to help you feel more comfortable. This is also beneficial if you have a hot flush as they can be removed quickly to keep moisture away from your body, which could trigger a cold flush
• Move – During a cold flush it is important to move around to help raise your body temperature and get blood moving to your extremities
• Calm – Reduce stress and anxiety as both can cause cold flushes or make them worse. Deep breathing or meditation can help reduce the severity and duration of the cold flush

COLD FLUSH SUMMARY

Approximately 75% of people going through Peri|Menopause experience vasomotor symptoms, which is the dilation and constriction of our blood vessels.

Hormonal changes, anxiety and panic are the main causes of cold flushes and they can be just as disruptive as hot flushes.

Use my MidLife Resilience Coaching Boost below or watch my Video to help manage cold flushes, with the focus on Food, Movement and Self-Care so you Feel Stronger.

KEEPING WOMEN IN BUSINESS…

Are you a Woman in Business who wants to manage your cold flushes before they impact You, Your Family and Your Business?

Do you want to know more about the “40 Changes To Accept Over 40″ that happen as you transition through PeriMenopause and Menopause?

Therefore you have three choices to learn more about My Mission of Keeping Women In Business through their Hormonal Changes & Business Growth:

• Register to join my next “Manage Your Peri|Menopause to Stay In Your Business” Live Workshop and experience Group “Body & Business” Coaching with solutions from my MidLife Resilience System…
• Book a Complimentary Consultation with me including your own MidLife Resilience Assessment to complete ahead of our Coaching Session at a time that suits you…
• Or register to join The Women in Business MidLife Club with four membership options, your Club Welcome Session & MidLife Resilience Review, The Women in Business MidLife Club on a Private Intranet Site & Smart Phone App, Coaching Sessions via video to agree Coaching Plans and be part of an Inspiring Community of Women In Business…