If you've begun experiencing the "hormone hell" of menopause, you may be wondering just whose body you're in! Your changing estrogen levels have sent your body's temperature into a crazy burning/freezing cycle. You may be suffering mood swings and insomnia as well. Your menopausal hot flashes can start getting the best of you until you've had it! You need a solution just to get your life back to normal. But like many other women, you may be worried about hormone replacement therapy as a viable solution. A solution that works better for you and your body could be a natural remedy for hot flashes.

If you are able to control your hot flashes with a natural remedy your body will thank you. A natural remedy for hot flashes will have minimal - if any - side effects and can be relatively inexpensive. As with all medical treatments, whether natural or prescribed by your doctor, you should proceed carefully to ensure you don't have an allergic reaction to a yet unknown allergen. A good strategy is to start with some simple changes that don't require herbs or medications at all. Then slowly add other pieces to the puzzle until you have a solution that works for you.

First, try to avoid hot and humid weather. Since your inner thermostat has a mind of its own these days, running a bunch of errands in the heat may trigger a hot flash. The same can be said for hot tubs and saunas. Knowing your personal triggers is the first step when developing a natural remedy for hot flashes.

Common triggers for menopausal women include hot drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, stress, smoking, chocolate and foods with high-acid content. Now that you officially are not allowed to enjoy your favorite foods or indulgences you may wonder "what's the point?" Just keep in mind that every woman will have different triggers. Some of these foods may not bother you at all. This list is meant as a guide, not as a "never do" list. It's pretty rare to have all the items listed here as a trigger. Just knowing one or two triggers and then avoiding them will significantly help you in developing your personal natural remedy for hot flashes.

Once you discover your triggers, you are ready to proactively develop a complete game plan. Some natural quick fixes include drinking cold fluids when you feel a hot flash coming on, wearing layered clothing, and reducing your stress levels. Everyone can benefit from a few healthy stress reduction strategies. This is particularly important for women in menopause.

What helps ease stress in one woman, may just enhance it in another. Most people have a few stress reduction strategies that they utilize, but they're more important than ever when developing a natural remedy for hot flashes that really works.

Many people exercise to help reduce stress. Even though it hasn't been proven that exercise reduces hot flashes, many women report that it makes a significant difference in their frequency. A few other relaxation techniques you may not think of right off include acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.

A great way to track your progress is to keep a hot flash journal. After you've tracked your symptoms for awhile, you'll see which foods or drinks are triggers and what exercise and relaxation techniques seem to reduce your stress and hot flash symptoms. Hot flashes can be unbearable for some women. By employing a few of the above techniques you can develop a way to beat your misery with your own personalized natural remedy for hot flashes.