Menopause. A normal phase of a woman’s life, it’s defined as “official” one year after your last period (the time before that, often with more irregular periods, is called “peri-menopause”). The majority of women experience symptoms in both peri-menopause and menopause, which can include: hot flashes, sleep problems, weight gain, mood swings, decrease in memory, etc.

No big deal, right? Well for many, it can be. And homeopathy can help!

Hot flashes are by far the most common symptom of menopause with 80% of all women reporting them. Common symptoms of hot flashes include a sudden, brief, periodic increase in body temperature, sweating and in some cases an increase in heart rate.

While this symptom can be profoundly annoying, depending on how often and how intense it is (and how much sleep you lose having hot flashes at night), it’s great to know that research[1] and experience show that homeopathy can help make this transition far more comfortable.

Here is a list of five homeopathic remedies commonly prescribed for hot flashes:

Lachesis. This homeopathic remedy is typically for those experiencing flushes of heat, primarily on falling asleep, through the night, or on waking. While that in and of itself is not unique to this remedy, the greatest symptom I have found to confirm Lachesis is when even the most intense hot flashes happen without any perspiration—a dry heat. This remedy is arguably the most common of the remedies to give relief to those with menopausal hot flashes. The woman needing this remedy is worse in every way from heat—a warm room, hot temps or hot drinks.

Sulphur. The woman needing this homeopathic remedy often feels warm and is worse from heat, like Lachesis. The hot flashes tend to ascend up the body, rising to the face and head, which may often feel hot. They may also frequently experience being too hot at night in sleep, especially the feet which they desire to uncover (although cold feet may also occur). Other general Sulphur symptoms include craving for sweets, hunger in the late morning (around 11:00AM), loose stools (often occurring in the early morning), an energy dip at 2pm and a fear of heights.

Sepia. A person needing this homeopathic remedy often has hot flashes that are typically accompanied by weakness, lots of sweating, with the feeling of heat usually ascending upwards. Sepia patients typically are better from hard workouts or exertion and can be emotionally sensitive and a bit nervous by nature. They are very chilly and can have an energy dip (or feel worse) from 3-5pm. They also tend to be sun worshippers—greatly enjoying the heat of the sun for long periods of time. If you are someone who does not enjoy the heat of the sun, it is unlikely Sepia will be helpful.

Pulsatilla. This remedy would be most often indicated in a menopausal woman who has become very sensitive, down, blue and weepy. She feels better from reassurance. The hot flashes are worse in a warm room and better outside in cold or fresh air. Typically patients are hot (like Sulphur, might also want to uncover their feet at night), thirstless, have an energy dip around 1pm, and have a hormonal history with difficult periods or PMS.

Conium. This remedy is useful in hot flashes but the indications for it are less clear, except to say that there is usually profuse perspiration with the hot flashes. It’s easier to recognize that this remedy is needed when we consider the person as a whole. The keynote to this remedy, oddly enough, is that the person is very sensitive to sunlight and MUST have sunglasses outside on a bright day. They also tend to have very sore and/or swollen breasts at this time in their life (and also maybe previously, in PMS), crave salt, and are thought of as very “nice” people, although somewhat averse to change (loving routine).

Glonoinum. A woman needing this homeopathic remedy often has hot flushes that are sudden, violent, and with an upwards rush of blood to the head. Palpitations in the chest are also common, as are bursting headaches rising up from neck, with great throbbing and sense of expansion as if the head would burst; cannot bear the least jar.

How to dose:

Dose with either a 30C or 200C potency to start by placing one pellet under the tongue or one pellet in water, stirring vigorously and taking teaspoon doses as needed. Always cease dosing when relief begins and only redose if symptoms again worsen. As with any medical condition, consult with your physician if you have any concerns about the severity of your condition as it may first require medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. is an exceptional homeopath who provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine and she's a partner with Dr. Andre Saine N.D. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because in her experience it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Skype. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet.You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash