Water, wine, and what to wear: Marla Ahlgrimm offers advice on these topics and more. So, you’ve just turned 45 and feel like you’re 25? Marla Ahlgrimm says that could change in a flash…a hot flash, that is. Women in their 40s (and some in their late 30s) begin to experience what doctors call perimenopause, which is the time around menopause. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that this can be an exciting stage of life if a woman is tired of taking birth control medications but can also cause minor discomforts, such as vaginal dryness and mood swings. One of the most talked about symptoms that occur at perimenopause and menopause is the often joked about hot flash, cites Marla Ahlgrimm. Here are her thoughts on hot flashes and ways to hinder their hellish heat: The Spice of Life Marla Ahlgrimm advises that spicy foods, such as habanero and jalapeno peppers, should be consumed with caution during this time. Any food or beverage that can raise your body’s core temperature even

slightly could be a flash trigger, explains Marla Ahlgrimm. Consequently, that glass of wine before bed or the ritualistic cup of coffee in the morning might be igniting your inner inferno. Marla Ahlgrimm reports that you can still eat and drink the foods you love but keep track when your flashes hit and decrease your consumption of what sparks them.

H2 Oh My Gosh I’m Hot!

Water, water, water! Marla Ahlgrimm insists that now, more than ever, you need to stay hydrated. Water, in addition to being a clean and perfectly balanced fuel for everything inside of you, also acts as a temporary liquid AC. Cold water works to quell hot flashes by countering the heat, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Plus, water is just plain good for you. You should drink at least eight glasses per day to help the body stay in balance, advises Marla Ahlgrimm.

Slip off Your Stockings

You might want to think about wearing sandals during the summer months, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Hot flashes are exacerbated by heat and trapped heat is the worse. In the winter, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a pair of easy on/easy off boots as feet can sweat, which might trigger a hot flash, warns Marla Ahlgrimm.

Layer your clothes, suggests Marla Ahlgrimm. This will offer you the opportunity to feel immediately cooler and more comfortable. Plus, the layered look is in, especially in the wintertime, but also in summer when tanks can be worn under tees for a fresh and modern style. Marla Ahlgrimm says that cotton material is always a good choice.

Exercise your Rights

You are free to do what you want while in perimenopause/menopause but Marla Ahlgrimm says you should freely exercise your right to keep fit. A good workout can raise endorphin levels. Endorphins are kind of like a pain killer, says Ahlgrimm, only naturally occurring. They are released by the body when it thinks it needs to relax, like after physical activity. Marla Ahlgrimm says a regular workout regime may help to reduce your frequency of hot flashes. And, as Marla Ahlgrimm explains, you may need to extra movement as you get older anyway. It’s just never a bad idea to stay physically active, she insists.

Outside Aggravations

Yes, your internal operating system is what’s off balance but outside factors can help, or hurt, your goal of turning down the heat. Marla Ahlgrimm says that actually turning down the heat can calm hot flashes. Keep your thermostat a few degrees cooler than usual, advises Marla Ahlgrimm. And, you can invest a few dollars in a portable sports fan to cool you in times when you have no control over your environment.

Stick it to Stress

You’ve heard the phrase “Don’t sweat the small stuff” and it should be your mantra when you’re prone to hot flashes, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Stress can easily elicit an unwelcome response from a body already in turmoil with itself, Marla Ahlgrimm points out. When you are stressed or angry, you tend to feel hotter. And, when you’re balancing your days on the change of life tightrope, you don’t want to lose your cool.

About Marla Ahlgrimm

Since the late 1970s, when Marla Ahlgrimm brought PMS and other hormone imbalance related issues to light as real, treatable conditions, she has been helping women take control of their health, happiness, and hormones.

Marla Ahlgrimm is a licensed pharmacist with over thirty years of experience compounding and customizing natural hormone prescription therapy to treat PMS, menopause, and other expressly female health issues. Today, Marla Ahlgrimm advocates eating well, getting plenty of rest, and keeping one’s body in top shape to stave off the unpleasant side effects of fluctuating hormones.