Menopause is a battlefield. Hot flashes are the known enemy. But cold flashes? They’re the stealth attackers, striking when you least expect.
Divya, 44, knows this well. Months after her last period, the chill hit her like an icy fist. She thought it was the flu, but her temperature was average. The cold ambushed her again and again.
She’s not alone in this fight. A study found that 35% of menopausal women in India report cold flashes, just behind the 46% experiencing hot flashes. It’s a war on two thermal fronts.
Hot vs. Cold: The Menopausal Temperature Tango
Hot flashes are the prima donna of menopause symptoms. They strut onto the stage, making a spectacle of themselves. Sweat, flushing, a sudden urge to strip off layers – they’re hard to miss.
Cold flashes? They’re the quiet understudy. A sudden chill creeps in. Goosebumps rise. You reach for a sweater in a warm room. They’re subtle but no less disruptive.
Both stem from the same root: hormonal havoc throwing off the body’s thermostat. But while hot flashes feel like an inferno, cold flashes are an arctic blast.
The Science Behind the Shivers
Why does menopause make you feel stuck in a faulty refrigerator? It’s all about estrogen – or lack thereof.
As estrogen levels plummet, the hypothalamus (your brain’s thermostat) gets confused. It thinks you’re overheating when you’re not. Blood vessels constrict, pulling heat from your skin. You feel cold, even when the room is warm.
Science explains: “The hypothalamus becomes hypersensitive during menopause. It overreacts to minor temperature changes, causing hot and cold flashes.”
Research from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) found that 40% of perimenopausal women experience temperature dysregulation. Cold flashes were more common in women with lower body mass index (BMI).
When Cold Flashes Strike: Embarrassing Moments
Cold flashes don’t care about your schedule. They crash your party whenever they please. Here are some cringe-worthy moments shared by menopausal women.
1. During a yoga class, when everyone else is sweating.
2. In the middle of an important presentation at work.
3. On a romantic date, when you suddenly start shivering.
4. At a friend’s wedding, teeth chatter while giving a toast.
5. In the cinema, bundled up while others fan themselves.
These chilly episodes can last from 30 seconds to several minutes. They’re not dangerous, but they’re certainly annoying.
Ayurvedic Wisdom for Menopausal Chills
Ayurveda views menopause through the lens of doshas. Menopause increases vata dosha, which governs movement and circulation. This vata imbalance can lead to cold flashes.
Ayurvedic texts like the Charaka Samhita mention sheetoshnata – alternating sensations of cold and heat. It’s a classic sign of disturbed vata, especially during major life transitions like menopause.
To balance vata and ease cold flashes, Ayurveda recommends
1. Warm, nourishing foods
2. Regular oil massage (abhyanga)
3. Yoga and meditation
4. Herbal remedies like ashwagandha and Shatavari
Shatavari: The Cooling Herb with Surprising Benefits
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is a star in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. It’s known as the “queen of herbs” for women’s health. Recent research suggests it helps with menopausal symptoms, including cold flashes.
A 2018 study in the Journal of Menopausal Medicine found that women taking shatavari root extract reported significant relief from cold flashes and other symptoms after 12 weeks.
Padma, 52, experienced this firsthand. “I started taking shatavari powder mixed in warm milk every night,” she says. “Within a month, my cold flashes reduced dramatically. I felt more balanced overall.”
How does it work? Shatavari contains phytoestrogens, plant compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. It’s also an adaptogen, helping the body cope with stress. These properties may help stabilize the body’s thermostat during menopause.
Home Remedies to Beat the Chill
While herbs can help, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference in managing cold flashes.
1. Keep a warm shawl or sweater handy.
2. Regular exercise boosts circulation.
3. Ginger tea is incredibly warming.
4. Practice deep breathing. It helps calm the nervous system.
5. Place a hot water bottle on your feet or abdomen.
6. Eat warming foods: Soups, stews, and spices like cinnamon and turmeric.
7. Take warm baths: They’re relaxing and temperature-regulating.
When to Seek Help
While cold flashes are usually harmless, sometimes they signal other issues.
Visit a doctor when
- Cold flashes are severe or frequent
- You have other unexplained symptoms
- Cold flashes interfere with daily life or sleep
Your doctor may check your thyroid function or iron levels, as imbalances can cause temperature sensitivity.
Embracing the Change
Menopause is a transition, not a tragedy. With the right tools and attitude, you can navigate the chilly waters of menopause. Remember to stay warm, stay positive, and keep a sense of humour.
