Relaxation: good hot flushes therapy
Women who have undergone a relaxed group therapy have reduced their menopausal troubles by half, according to the results of a Swedish study. Researchers claimed seven out of every 10 women undergoing menopause at some point experienced problems with hot flushes and sweating.
Women who have undergone a relaxed group therapy have reduced their menopausal troubles by half, according to the results of a Swedish study.
Researchers at the Linköping University and Linköping University Hospital claimed seven out of every 10 women undergoing menopause at some point experienced problems with hot flushes and sweating. For one in 10 women, the problems lasted five years or longer, primarily causing insomnia and discomfort in social situations.
Researchers added decreasing amounts of the female hormone oestrogen affects the brain’s heat regulation centre in the hypothalamus, which is a portion of the brain containing a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions.
At the end of the 1990s, Swedish doctors prescribed hormone tablets to about 40% of women with moderate to severe symptoms. However, since new observations have shown the treatment increased the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, their use has decreased drastically. Today, the number of women with menopausal problems receiving oestrogen is reportedly down to 10%.
For her doctoral thesis, Women’s Clinic consultant, Elizabeth Nedstrand, arranged a study where a group of women were randomly assigned to three different treatments, which were acupuncture, exercise and applied relaxation.
Ms Nedstrand herself conducted the therapy, which is based on learning to find the muscle groups in a person’s body and getting the body to relax with the help of breathing techniques.
“The participants were given daily exercises to practice at home. The goal was for them to learn to use the method on their own and to be able to manage their own symptoms,” she said.
During the intervention period, and for three months thereafter, the women kept a diary of their hot flushes.
The women in the treatment group reduced the number of hot flushes per day, from an average of 9.1 to 4.4. The effect remained for three months after the last therapy session.
The women in the therapy group also reported improved quality of life, memory and concentration, sleep, and lower anxiety levels.
“The study confirms applied relaxation can help women with menopausal troubles. My hope is that women can be offered this treatment in primary care and from private health care providers,” Ms Nedstrand said.
