Help with Hot Flashes

yes i will let you no. since covid its hard to get an appt they all are months away

Hello@ardillo46,

Here is an article that you might find interesting. It's about non-hormonal treatment for hot flashes. It comes from Cleveland Clinic so it is a reliable source of information. It does mention spicy foods so even if you've been eating highly peppered or other spicy foods in the past, you might try to cut them down or eliminate them completely from your diet for a couple of weeks and see if that helps. This article also mentions yoga, meditation, etc.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15223-menopause-non-hormonal-treatment--relief-for-hot-flashes

I am a male who had prostate surgery in October 2011 and radiation due to very aggressive Prostate cancer. These treatments did not get rid of my cancer. I am now on hormone therapy and have been for the last 8 years and is working like it’s supposed to. No detectable PSA during this time. However there was a side effect of the therapy which was “Hot flashes”. I began taking Megestrol ((Megace) and it took care of my hot flashes. You might consult with your physician and see what his/her thoughts are above you taking it to see if it would work for you if you are still having hot flashes. If so, you need to take it 2 to 3 months to get in your system. Please be sure and consult your physician before taking as I don’t know what other medications you are taking you wouldn’t want it to have a reaction with your other medications. Good luck

@missile Welcome to Mayo Connect. Thank you for your input, and telling us what worked for you. Before you started taking Megestrol, what other remedies did you try?
Ginger

That was the only thing I tried. I suffered through the hot flashes for almost a year and then I was told to to try megace and it worked. I was a little apprehensive about taking it because that's what they gave my Dad (who had dementia) to make him want eat and I sure didn't need to take anything to make me eat.

Hi @missile Did you find that the megace made you want to eat more or have you fared well with it?

@ardillo46, diet can definitely be a contributing factor. In addition to the article that Teresa provided (great source!), here is one from Mayo that also states the same information regarding spicy foods.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/expert-answers/managing-hot-flashes/faq-20090534
Have you asked your boyfriend to cut back on the amount of pepper that he uses when he cooks to help you control the hot flashes?

I took estrogen for ten years and then was forced to give it up. I had a miserable month and then things settled down. My daughter took some form of estrogen which helps the hot flashes, and is not worried about cancer at this time. The number one risk for cancer is sugar and diet changes are important to prevent cancer. I would speak to a nutritionist about diet and exercise for the hot flashes and preventing cancer. I eat lots of fresh vegetables and have good health and immunity. Read about antioxidant foods which decrease your risk of cancer. Yes, I had cancer but since changing my diet I no longer worry about it or dementia and I exercise my brain every day and do not worry about declining mental capability. I work Sudoku puzzles every day. Doris Huffman

It did not increase my appetite.

@ardillo46 Look up Black cohash