Night Sweats

Re: Hot sweats
I am experiencing the very same thing—in fact this is precisely what I came to this site seeking answers for after my ‘hot’ night! With that said [as I have a hot flash], my periods ceased [early I’m thinking] @ age 45-5 years ago. My hot flashes had pretty much subsided and I do not recall them being nearly as severe as others have experienced—but, as I approached day # 25 of hot yoga [almost consecutive] my hot flashes & night sweats have re-emerged. I asked one of the instructors closer to my age what she thought & she shared that she still has hot flashes @ age 59 [my mother-an RN-just recently shared w/me that we can experience such thru the rest of our lives!!!] but her educated guess was that since estrogen is stored in fat [although she is extremely lean] the re-visiting hot flashes could possibly be linked to the estrogen being flushed as my weight [cellulite very much included!] drops, for w/this ‘change’ and two foot injuries [a nicked tendon on top of my left foot—then gimping around due to that—a ruptured tendon on my right foot] I have gained approx. 50 lbs. I felt like an alien trapped inside my own body, for I was a competitive swimmer & coach and formerly a size 6—but I am definitely on my [hot] way back down.
If anyone has a medical/scientific explanation and possible natural/holistic solution—I would be very interested.

What about day sweats as well? I started Bikram in Nov 09 and it seems that my hot flashes are more intense as I continue to practice (I take a class every other evening usually). Is anyone else noticing this? I’m not sure whether or not to continue this style of yoga, though I love doing it. I don’t notice a relationship to how hydrated I am either.

I’m 49, definitely starting menopause, no period for 3 months or so now. Not much body fat, in pretty good physical shape.

Thanks for any feedback…

how interesting – this happened to me earlier this week. I am not new to Bikram but this is.
My body was real hot as I readied for bedtime. Then the nightsweats.
Glad I am not alone, thanks for the explainations.

Hi Micherie

I was actually not really that alarmed with the 15,000 IU. I have been researching the whole vitamin thang and I KNOW that will form part of my response regarding the article from that specialist.

Here’s what I have read/know about Vitamin D. Daily ‘recommended’ intake is between 200-400 IU. To maintain good levels as an adult you should really have 4,000 IU. If you are low (as you are) then to boost your levels back to normal the dosage is at least 5,000 IU and often 10,000 IU. So at the moment taking 1,000 or so a day is possibly not really doing enough to counter the problem.

You are currently experiencing winter, you aren’t getting much sunlight on your skin. If it were me it would be the higher levels I would be taking. If you want some links to go to online let me know and I will PM them to you.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Somewhere on the board was a post from a menopausal woman who said that hot yoga plumped her ovaries up again and she started having periods again. Just wondering if that could be related …

It’s post #15 on the “Bikram Yoga and Philosophy” thread. Not exactly like I remembered it, but interesting.

Hi Amy

Just a quickie! When are you going to change that belief about your body “not being able to produce hormones naturally”? 😉 It seems that it MUST be now that you have to reduce your meds. Because if your body isn’t functioning better to surprise you and your doc, what is going on there?????? Hmmmm! Something to think about.

Keep on inspiring us all! Thanks

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi all

OK, I have FINALLY come back to post something that I hope can help. It would be best for me to give just a brief overview of some obscured scientific aspects and take it from there.

I have asked the specialist/author to give me permission to post his article on my website and will do so if that is achieved.

Alrighty: Let me see if I can encapsulate this in a post that’s not too long. From now on E (estrogen) and P (progesterone): because it’s easier to type! ;P

REGULAR HEALTH CYCLE:
>> First half of normal cycle is E dominant, second half is where P is manufactured by follicle. This is how balance is created for ALL the estrogens. Natural levels however are constantly changing so are difficult to diagnose. Partly also because the tests don’t pick up all of the active hormones. The plot thickens!
>> Changes in E output occur in women’s 40s or so due to influence of Hypothalamus and Pituitary not ovaries.
>> Onset of menopause: E levels drop enough to stop follicle maturation and egg release.
>> Eventually periods stop (could be erratic and sporadic)
>> Hormones are still secreted. Uterus produces prostacyclin with many protective effects (CV). That’s why you want to try and keep your uterus! Prostacyclin cannot be synthesized in the lab.

MENOPAUSE SEEN BY DOCTORS AS A DEFICIENCY: SEEN AS A DISEASE
>> Usually the course of therapy is to address a so-called estrogen deficiency. The problems could be because of fluctuating E and P levels (not just E).
>> HRT creates estrogen dominance which can cause huge list of problems; cysts, fibroids, increase cancer risk, decrease thyroid activity (worsened circulation and weight increase), decreased sex drive.
>> Some of the aforementioned problems are the REASON that doctors advise having a hysterectomy. Hmmm.
>> Hysterectomy causes more problems – see above re protective prostacyclins.
>> REMEMBER: Medical system and doctor education are HUGELY influenced by PHARMACEUTICAL companies and funding etc. (I used to work in a pharmaceutical company so I know first hand what it’s like. Got outta there.)
>> Doctors and pharma industry WRONGLY label synthetic progestins as P. BUT they work differently.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH ESTROGEN DOMINANCE:
>> Stimulates uterus for pregnancy prep, see natural function in first half of cycle.
>> 2 of the compounds estradiol and estrone not good without being opposed by correct hormones (P)

If you are having problems with night sweats then it could be because of your HRT or pill or whatever hormonal synthesized drug you’re taking – if indeed you’re taking it. And you could be getting an imbalance through your diet too (through water and through meat and dairy – more on that soon).

>> Estradiol is one of the main E hormones: It is given to fatten cows and maximize farmer profit. It corrupts food chain through meat (milk?) and water.
>> XS estradiol may cause women to put on weight if unopposed by P.
>> Estradiol OPPOSED by NATURAL P metabolizes fat into energy, causes weight loss or weight control.
>> XS E: Depletes BONE MASS leads to OSTEOPOROSIS

MECHANISM OF HRT BONE LOSS:
>> Osteoblasts: Lay down bone. They have P receptors.
>> Osteoclasts: Scavenge and dissolve bone for replacement. They have E receptors.
>> Estrogen dominance means old material is broken down, and NOT replaced
>> Causes progressive bone loss and porous bones
>> Bone loss also by (XS) meat and dairy intake
>> Recap other estrogen dominance problems: Lots of other symptoms like night sweats, migraines, hay fever, skin rashes, UTIs, varicose veins, high BP

It frankly seems all a bit scary for me. Here are some further things discussed:

>> The real problem is P deficiency
>> The need to address the imbalance with NATURAL P. Eg Mexican Wild Yam and other similar products. This has been shown to increase bone density and alleviate symptoms of menopause and associated problems.

AN INTERESTING QUOTE FROM SHERRILL SELLMAN:
“No side effects of natural progesterone. Protective against fibrocystic breast dx, protective against cancer, maintains uterus lining, hydrates and oxygenates skin, reverses facial hair grown and thinning of the hear, acts as a natural diuretic, helps to eliminate depression and increases a sense of well-being, encourages hat burning and the use of stored energy. Hot flashes and vaginal dryness quickly disappear with applications of natural progesterone.”

SOME IDEAS TO TAKE ACTION:
>> IF constipated (less than 3 movements per week) address your dehydration
>> Organic wholefood diet: 80% organic, 60% raw (minimum)
>> Hydration: 2-3 liters BUT MORE with hot yoga
>> 1/2 tsp per day of unrefined sea salt (eg Himalayan (not sea!) or Celtic). BUT 1 tsp per day if doing hot yoga. Sprinkle of food, add to your water
>> Avoid coffee?
>> Investigate probiotic supplements to replace healthy gut flora
>> Greatly elevated levels of Vitamin C with bioflavinoids (the figure I read was unbelievably 30-40g per day – but I like and trust the source of this information)
>> Optimize Vit D levels (which may mean high levels of supplementation see my post from early to mid March).
>> 1 tbsp flaxseed oil or 2g krill oil for those non-vegetarians
>> Vitamin B6, 50mg, 3 times daily
>> Vitamin E 800-1200 IU till symptoms improve then 400-800 IU maintenance
>> Natural P cream topically applied
>> Daily activity and minimum 3 90 min classes per week

PHEW
I hope that was interesting.

It would help me to know if that was useful in ANY way.

Although it helps to know where you are hormonally speaking, remember that your blood test will give you a snapshot. I am not sure how you get to know the fluctuating levels that all systems experience. The above is intended as food for thought and I cannot take any responsibility for how you use the information. (Sorry for the necessary waiver!). Playing with vitamins rather than synthetic hormones is far less risky.

Namaste
Gabrielle