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I'm with Venus who posted Fri 9 Mar at 15:43 - top tip is don't focus on menopause symptoms - look forward to the fact that you are saying goodbye to menstruation! I've never looked back.

I'm still susceptible to hot flushes at any time and any place so I carry a little electric fan in my handbag (in summer and winter) so that I can cool down my flushed face. It works so much better than a hand fan.

A daily dose of flaxseed helps with hot flushes

Exercise! Take up swimming it is the best exercise and very cooling on the hot flushes!

Comfortably cool M&S bed linen and spray water really help with hot flushes

The only tips I can give is use a hot water bottle filled with ice to cool you down. Cool sprays are great, but can make your skin very dry, so always use a cream afterwards. I need the book for more tips! Good luck everyone!

To be honest I didn't notice the menopause and have never taken HRT but was advised by friends the other day that I SHOULD be taking it even if I have no problems. Think I will get a check-up at the doctors.

natural fabrics and a sense of humour!

avoid too much alcohol

I get so hot with the flushes that no matter how many layers I removed I couldn't survive without my chill pillow. I even have a small one that I take around with me.

Try to keep talking to your family and not deal with the problem on your own

As stress for me is the main reason for hot flushes, followed by caffeine and alcohol, my way to best cope has been to start mindfulness meditation and now that I'm getter more into this I really feel my stress is less and more managable. This plus cutting out caffeine and alcohol (when I can drum up the required will power that is) seems to work. I'm 70 and have hot flushes every 45 minutes and nightsweats. I didn't want to go the HRT route but at long last gave in..was beginning to feel like a blimming martyr!.. and saw my gp for a prescription. However I was told I had missed my 'slot' and to start taking HRT now would be dangerous. In short, went to menopause clinic, the dr there specialized in menopausal problems obviously, she agreed with my gp, so got put on clonidine which has somewhat reduced the frequency.
Just hoping this book has some hints on surviving hot flushes in my 70s and beyond. Dream on....

I am in the process of trying natural remedies such as Black Cohosh, St Johns Wort and fish oils. I am also trying to exercise more and have just bought a mini trampoline

I suffer so terrible with heavy periods flooding me off of my feet.
I was at the point of being drained and anemic .
I used to wrap up warm keep a hot water bottle on my tummy to ease the pain.
In the end I sought help from my g.p who suggested fitting me with a coil . She said that the copper would alter my hormones and either stop the blood flow or ease it in the least and shorten the length or organise my periods.
Ta dahhh !! It only worked.
I now have a lot lighter and shorter periods so I can get out and walk getting fresh air and exercise keeping my health and wellbeing up.
Its improved my mental health a lot and I highly recommend seeking help from a female doctor and keep onto them until they sort it.

I've found eating mainly plant-based whole foods and avoiding meat, dairy, sugar and caffeine has helped enormously.

I have the opposite of hot flushes. I am shivering all the time I have to wear layers and only take them off when the temperature is over 25C. I have never had a hot flush but they sound very uncomfortable.

Clothing in layers so you can take on and off easily. I do think that you personally are more aware of the hot flushes than other people so try not to draw attention to the fact and I am pretty sure that other people will not notice them. Lots of pampering - lovely perfume, cool nice smelling bubble baths, etc.

Don't just accept things, even if it's advice from medical professionals. I was put on some treatment for fibroids that gave me horrendous symptoms similar to the menopause, only worse. I went back and asked to be taken off the medication and now it's been linked to possible liver problems. If something doesn't work, then try something else. Also be kind to yourself and do what works for you, e.g. if you find it helps to make a joke out of your symptoms then do that, but if you prefer not to let anyone else know what is happening then that's fine too. It's your body and your menopause, so do things to make it easier for you.

Fan in bedroom and sleep with open windows

Beautiful, cooling materials for clothing - crisp, cool cottons and silks - that keep skin cool and make you feel a little special!

I had a complete hysterectomy in 1994 but still get hot flushes occasionally. I have ceiling fans in my lounge and bedroom, and always wear layers I can peel off if necessary. I also carry a small spray of my favourite perfume which I spray on myself so not only do I smell nice it is refreshing.

I take Menopause Supplements

Use the spare room if you are lucky enough to have one on those nights when you have the night sweats and keep disturbing your hubby, he will thank you for it and you will sleep better too.

I make sure i drink lots of water and take lots of vitamins

My top tip is to put a fan in every handbag you own, I own 10 20 oh well quite a lot of the little paper fans and they are pretty good !
For Mothers Day, our little GD gave me a wind up fan, she chose it herself too . Think the word is out....Grandma is HOT !