FOR many Brits, struggling through this bout of hot weather is hard enough.
But what if you add hot flushes to the warm, sweaty mix?
Carrying water and a fan can be a big help in sweaty public transport and can provide relief from a hot flush
According to Dr Naomi Potter – coauthor of the best-selling book Menopausing along with Davina McCall and founder of Menopause Care – eight in 10 people going through the menopause are struck by the sudden surge of heat, sweat and redness dubbed hot flushes.
The lack of oestrogen brought on by the menopause affects the part of the brain that helps regulate body temperature, the specialist explained.
“The increasing temperatures can make hot flushes and night sweats worse, and make it harder to cool down when you do experience them,” Dr Potter told The Independent.
“If you’re already hot and sweaty, then having a night sweat or hot flush can just make everything worse and uncomfortable.”
She had some tips to see you through summer heatwaves.
1. Carry water and a fan
Travelling on public transport in the summer can be a sweaty mess at the best of times, especially when you’re packed into a tube or bus like a sardine during rush hour.
Dr Potter suggested you carry water and a small fan with you to provide some relief if you’re hit with a hot flush during these moments.
She suggested your water bottle be designed to keep liquids cool – you don’t want to be sipping on lukewarm water when a wave of heat takes your over.
2. Avoid booze and fizzy drinks
Dr Potter also suggested drink less alcohol, coffee and fizzy drinks, as these will make you dehydrated and might exacerbate troublesome menopause symptoms.
Stick to water and iced tea instead, she said.
3. Have a change of PJs handy
Menopause can also rear its after dark, causing night sweats and trouble sleeping.
Make your sleeping environment as cool as possible, Dr Potter advised, and wear light and breathable pyjamas. Fans can also be your best friend.
If you happen to break out into a sweat, rather than keeping your clammy bedclothes on or rummaging for a new set and waking yourself up in the process, the specialist suggested you keep some fresh PJs by your bed.
4. Wear cotton or linen and long knickers
What you wear can make a huge difference with how comfortable you feel in the summer heat and during a hot flush.
To help ensure maximum comfort, Dr Potter said you should dress in “lightweight, breathable fabrics” such as cotton or linen.
And have you ever noticed that sweat pools uncomfortably under your buttocks when you wear a skirt or dress, before running down your leg?
Dr Potter had a solution for that too – she suggested you wear bike shorts or long knickers to catch that sweat.
5. Store HRT correctly
If you’re taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it’s important to make sure you’re storing it correctly as temperatures soar.
“Most HRT should be stored at room temperature. If this is the case with yours (it will say on the side of the packaging), do not refrigerate or freeze it. Instead, storing it in a cool dark place, away from direct light, should be fine,” Potter said.
Make sure you’re not leaving it anywhere that will get very hot when the sun hits it, like inside cars or on window ledges.
Dr Potter also pointed out that it’s hard to know what temperature aircraft holds reach, so best to pack it in your carry-on if you can.