The cause of the hot flushes is an imbalance in the unconscious nervous system triggered by a lack of the female hormone oestrogen. After menopause, the production of this hormone is reduced because the ovaries stop functioning. The adrenal cortex will still be able to produce small amounts of oestrogen - and so will fatty tissue; so overweight women usually do not have that many problems.
The cells all have key holes - i.e. receptors - to oestrogens and oestrogenic substances to which the oestrogens work as a kind of "key". If there are not enough keys then the cells will "scream" for them to come. At the same time, hot flushes, skin problems, dryness of the mucous membranes - especially in the vagina - and possibly also mental instability which, however, can be related to the present state of life, will occur.
The treatment consists of recreating the balance in the body and suppressing the symptoms. The best treatment, however, is to make sure that the body has a sufficient amount of "keys" in the "key holes" - i.e. that there is an adequate amount of oestrogens.
Many women are afraid of oestrogenic hormones - not least because of the fear of cancer. However, during the first 10 years, the risk of cancer in breasts and uterus is small and the risk of being deficient in oestrogen should neither be neglected. For example, there is a greater risk of decalcification with the accompanying risk of fractures in elderly people.
