Menopause - is it me or is it hot in here?

Why do some women suffer more symptoms - and what can you do?

Hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, mental confusion, heavy irregular periods and tiredness. Most women will experience these symptoms at some point, but why do some suffer more than others and what can you do about it?

 
If you're in your late 30s or early 40s and have never experienced a hot flush, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Surely you just take off some layers and turn the heating down? Make that kind of comment to one of the 70% of menopausal women who suffer intense hot flushes that can last anything from a few minutes up to an hour, however, and you're likely to be met with a furious glare.

All women will go through the menopause and most will experience the symptoms to some degree. It's surprising then, that it's also a subject medical science still knows little about. Why is it that some women suffer more than others and for much longer? And most importantly, what's the best way to deal with the symptoms once they do appear? We asked four experts - one of whom has been researching hot flushes for more than two decades - about the most effective ways to cope and which alternative treatments can help.

Click here for more about the menopause...

The answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone and are not substitutes for professional medical advice. If you're worried, see your GP. For more information, visit www.netdoctor.co.uk

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