bring the patient back into balance, thereby reducing menopausal symptoms. A physician skilled in Ayurvedic medicine is key.
Good News: Hot Flashes and Menopausal Symptoms May Reduce Breast Cancer Risk by 50%!
A recent study done at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) found that women who have experienced hot flashes and other related menopausal symptoms can have up to a 50% lower risk of developing common forms of breast cancer over menopausal women who never had such symptoms. Also, the pro- tective effect increased with more frequent and severe hot flashes. So for those of you who wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, this is something positive to take away from the experience.
The link between decreased cancer risk and menopausal
symptoms involves hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Meno- pausal symptoms occur due to a fluctuation and then drop in these hormones, which can play an important role in the development of most breast cancers. Symptoms are a direct result of gradual cessa- tion of these hormones. So women who experience hot flashes and night sweats may have lower risk due to decreased estrogen levels. In the FHCRC study, 1,437 postmenopausal women in the Seat- tle area were interviewed; 988 had been previously diagnosed with breast cancer and 449 had not, to serve as a comparison group. The women discussed symptoms related to perimenopause and meno- pause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, irregular or heavy menses, depression and anxiety. If more studies are carried out to confirm these findings, we could enhance our current knowledge and understanding about breast cancer etiology and prevention strategies. Although menopausal symptoms are not particularly pleasant, this study helps to remove some of the negative feelings regarding these symptoms and the impact they can have on your daily life.
Cool Down During a Hot Flash Shitali is a wonderful breathing exercise to soothe, relax and
cool the body and its nervous system. How to perform Cooling Breath (Shitali):
1. Open your mouth to form an “O” shape. 2. With your mouth in this position, form a funnel with your tongue and place it between your lips. If you can’t roll your tongue, just purse the lips making a small “o” shape with your mouth. 3. Slowly inhale through the tube of the tongue, swallow the breath. 4. Relax your tongue and mouth, and then exhale through your mouth.
42 Natural Nutmeg February 2012
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