A friend just emailed me begging for some advice. She's just entering menopause and experiencing hot flashes at unexpected times. That would be bad enough, but she is also scheduled to speak before a large crowd in a few days. My friend wanted to know if there was anything I could suggest to stop hot flashes without drugs.
As the author of The Menopause Book, I get this question often. So here's the advice I would give a friend who needs help on short notice:
1. Dress in light layers. A sleeveless top under a jacket looks professional and you can always remove the jacket. Another option is a sleeveless dress with a jacket.
2. Always carry a bottle of COLD water.
3. Don't drink any caffeine and don't eat any spicy food within 24 hours of a big presentation or meeting. Both can trigger hot flashes in some women.
4. Get adequate sleep to reduce stress.
5. Watch your neckline. Wear a v-neck or other semi-low neckline. Put away turtlenecks for a few years and never wear anything around your neck like a scarf unless you are outside in the cold.
6. If you have any control over the temperature in the room, ask for it to be on low.
7. Relax. You may feel like you are on fire, but the chances are no one else will suspect that anything is wrong.