Hot flashes, cycling and running

[indigoiis]

Hi all,
Since increasing my training, I am experiencing more hot flashes and night sweats. This could be the onset of perimenopause, but I thought it was odd that it seems to happen more after a day of activity.

Anyone else experience this? I just want to feel normal and cool again. LOL.

[bmccasland]

I had similar experiences, and finally broke down to better living through chemistry, HRT. And that was only after a long talk with my Ob/gyn. The mood swings that came with the not getting enough sleep at night wasn't much fun. Wake up hot & sweaty, kick off covers; wake up chilled, pull covers back; repeat for 3-4 times/night did not lead to waking rested in the morning

[Biciclista]

it keeps happening, even after menopause. I have just gotten used to it. it's a part of life, there are worse things. (And most doctors will give you HRT for only 2 years, so pick your battles)

[indigoiis]

I hate the heart palpitations part. It's happening a lot after I eat, and on Sunday, it happened during a 5K. It was a hot sunny day, but I was really really hot. I drank plenty of water, too.

I am just wondering if there are natural remedies besides stripping (NOW I understand where they are coming from) and getting a job in a meat locker?

[azfiddle]

I have had a huge improvement in my sleep with the HRT, which I started in March. However, for the last month or so, I have been waking up again in the early morning hours especially, and can't always get back to sleep. Sometimes I experience a mild hot flashes at that time, too. I haven't talked to the doctor, but have been thinking about it.... I don't really do well with sleep deficit!
Sharon

[Crankin]

I have had the same thing. I am 7 years post menopause and all of a sudden, the flashes started again. And it coincided with the onset of the cycling season, too.
Weird. And when i do a hard ride, I cannot fall asleep.

[Dogmama]

You can try black cohosh, increasing soy intake, some of the combo supplements. There was a warning about black cohosh awhile ago, I don't recall what it was.

Those worked for me for awhile, but I ended up on HRT. I have the Vivelle dot and I take prometrium at night. Just being able to sleep is great. I had the kind of hot flashes where you drip. I mean, even my calves would sweat. Luckily, I'm a student & spend my days in front of this computer by myself, so I can turn up the fan & take off my clothes.

[indigoiis]

Do you all think there is a correlation between increased training and the hots? My mom denies every having experienced menopause (though she's of a generation that doesn't do girl talk) and says I'm too young (I'm 41.)

[Biciclista]

I don't think you're too young. I think you're of the age. It goes on and on.
For me there is no correlation between working out and hot flashes, but it could be for you. Keep working out. it's good for you. Hot flashes happen.

[OakLeaf]

Working out seems to decrease them, for me.

Mine aren't terribly bad IMO, but then I'm a heavy sweater anyhow, and for me to be just sitting there with sweat dripping off me is pretty much normal.

What increases them - for me - is anything that increases estrogen, particularly alcohol, but also soy.

[Dogmama]

"They" say that caffeine also increases hot flashes. It's true for me - I'll be sweatin' & drinkin' my mornin' cup 'o' Joe...

[Bike Chick]

I'm on hrt so the hot flashes and night sweats are at bay right now....I have issues with ummmmm, uhhhhh, how do I say it but "incontinence" when I run. I can't finish a 5k without finding a bush just past 2.5 miles! I don't know what I'm gonna do when they harvest all the corn along my running route!

[Crankin]

I tried black cohosh years ago, when I was in peri. It didn't do a thing. I just deal with the flashes. Usually keep a big bottle of water by me and drink a bunch when I feel one starting. I mostly have one big one when I wake up.
My worst symptom has been the "dryness" issue, which put a severe crimp in my love life. I got an E-string about 5 years ago and it has made a nice improvement, but the issue is still there. The nurse practitioner I went to at my last doctor said that this is also an issue of "use it or lose it," so i guess I need to "use it" more. But, getting the E-string, definitely eliminated some of the pain I had cycling, which were not really saddle issues.
My gyn. is a tri-athlete, but when I first went to her, she had not started this and she was kind of clueless when I tried to describe the issue I was having. Now, she always asks.

[Biciclista]

I made a comment to my doctor after she prescribed a tube of estrace for all of the above tissue complaints; "what did women my age do before Estrace?" She said women of a certain age didn't ride bikes or have sex much once upon a time.
Bike Chick, there are exercises and programs for people in your situation. you might send a message to Knotted Yet she can tell you the name of it.

[arielmoon]

No chemicals in my body thank you. I take Chinese herb blends that I get from my acupuncturist. My hot flashes are mild and the night sweats are gone.

I dont know that exercise has any effect on them one way or another.