Hot flushes and night sweats are the most common menopausal symptoms, and are also often the most troublesome. Not all women can use, or want to use, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to ease their symptoms, so it’s important that they’re aware of the other management options available.

In the Winter 2017/18 issue of The Menopause Exchange newsletter, Debbie Holloway, nurse consultant in gynaecology, discusses non-hormonal help for flushes and sweats. She looks at self help measures, a healthy diet, vitamin and herbal supplements, complementary therapies and prescribed alternatives to HRT, discussing whether these are backed by any clinical research and whether they’re likely to work or not.

“Hot flushes and night sweats can be very distressing and shouldn’t be overlooked,” says Norma Goldman, founder and director of The Menopause Exchange. “If women can’t, or don’t want to, use HRT, they can look at non-hormonal alternatives, including some prescription medicines. Many women find that they need to use a combination of these management options to ease their symptoms, and need to find out what works for them.”

The Menopause Exchange, which was established in 1999, is completely independent and is not sponsored by any companies. It provides impartial, easily understood information to women and healthcare professionals. The Menopause Exchange quarterly newsletter contains articles written by top medical experts, such as gynaecologists, GPs, consultants, specialist menopause nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, complementary practitioners etc.