A Cancer Coach Explains How Hormones Might NOT Be the Reason for Your Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats are a common complaint from many of my clients. Most have been told by their doctors that these symptoms are related to hormonal changes during menopause or are just one of the side effects of cancer treatments that they must endure. However, contrary to what you have been told, hot flashes are rarely just hormone driven, and therefore we could be barking up the proverbial wrong tree when we try to remedy them as such.
It is natural to assume that when you dramatically lower the production of estrogen, hot flashes and night sweats may be more problematic. I do believe there is some truth in that, and not coincidentally, hot flashes and night sweats are a common side effect of aromatase-inhibiting drugs. However, there is more to the story than just that–or at least that is what I have learned from Anthony William.
William makes perfect sense. I wondered why bioidentical hormone treatments help some people for a short time, but not always in the long run, and for others, have no effect at all. When I read about this in one of his books, Thyroid Healing, I had the big AH-HA moment. Hot flashes and night sweats have very little to do with menopause, and hormones in general! According to William, much of the time the Eptein Barr Virus (EBV) and environmental toxins are at the root of what most of think are menopausal symptoms. In other words, most of these symptoms are actually caused by EBV, and not the so called ‘change of life’. He adds that radiation exposure may be contributing to the problem, so it is very important to protect yourself from EMF (Electromagnetic field) exposure as well as radiation from other sources, such as diagnostic testing.
Why Toxins Contribute to Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
According to William, those miserable bursts of sweat are the result of a toxic liver. He says that when the liver fills up with toxins, it becomes over-burdened and starts to run hot. The body, being efficient, tries to cool itself down. The process involves expelling the heat form the liver, which then pulses through the body making you feel hot and sweaty. It also stands to reason that the body produces these heat reactions to rid the body of toxins through the pores (a natural defense mechanism). Arguably, it would be preferable to sweat the toxins out during exercise or sauna.
These toxins can include, but are not limited to, viral poisons (such as Epstein Barr Virus) heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, EMFs, and the remnants of prescription drugs.
Interestingly, ‘menopausal’ symptoms typically appear in mid-life, but it could well be that this is about the time when toxins have overwhelmed the liver. This also explains why the hot flashes and night sweats often continue well beyond menopause.
In the 2015 SWAN study, researchers found that hot flashes can go on for an average of 9-10 years. Importantly, those who experienced hot flashes for a longer time tended to be former smokers, overweight, stressed, depressed, or anxious.[i] These are also things that feed EBV (think emotional and environmental toxins) and trigger its rising out of dormancy. If it were just the sudden decline of estrogen prompting the sweating, perhaps this would not be the case.
According to William in an article on his blog, “the fact that symptoms [of menopause] manifested around the age of menopause was a coincidence.”[ii] He talks about how prior to the 1950’s women actually looked forward to menopause. He explains that it is actually the fallout of radiation exposure from World War II, exposure to the pesticide DDT, and EBV — which was just beginning to affect the general population, and which resulted in mysterious symptoms — that we now associate with menopause. But since the blame was placed on hormones, women were given synthetic HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and then bioidenticals after HRT was linked with cancer. However, the effects were not lasting, and the suffering continued. Sadly, no one looked beyond hormones for the cause, or the solution.
What You Can Do NOW
Following the antiviral diet I describe for EBV in What You Need to Know About the Epstein Barr Virus and Cancer could be very helpful in alleviating the symptoms of EBV-related hot flashes and night sweats (and has many other benefits as well). Keeping the virus dormant is critical.
It is also important to support the liver so it can remove pathogens (try herbs such as milk thistle and dandelion root). Of course, it is essential to reduce exposure to radiation and to use protective nutrients and devices to lessen the effects of everyday, unavoidable exposure (yes, you can get rid of your hairdryer, but the refrigerator? ouch). Mint, blueberries, and flaxseed are just a few foods that help protect the body from radiation. The less toxins you feed your body and viruses the better (not just environmental toxins, but emotional toxins as well).
A device such as the bioDot that is attached to the back of my watch harmonizes EMFs so they are no longer harmful. To purchase a bioDot, see the link below.
Of course, we cannot ignore hormones completely. When we have thyroid issues or adrenal fatigue, our reproductive hormones become out of balance, contributing to not just hot flashes, but cancer as well. The point is we cannot just point the finger at hormones if we want to feel better.
Regardless of your take on this, it is food for thought — especially if despite all, you are still troubled with hot flashes and night sweats. It sure can’t hurt to keep an open mind, and the remedies are good for you and may lower your risk for cancer and it’s progression!
One note — in this excellent article by William, What Doctors Are Missing About Your Menopause Symptoms, he recommends Schisandra berry to help flush estrogen from the body (it helps with night sweats too). Excellent recommendation, but please do not take this if you are taking Tamoxifen as it may decrease the effects of the medication. Please also know that tamoxifen is a known carcinogen. If that concerns you like it does me, know that there are alternatives.
For more interactions between drugs and herbal substances, please read the following:
Recommended Books for Herbal and Drug Interactions:
Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions: Plus Herbal Adjuncts with Medicines, 4th Edition
Herb, Nutrient, and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1e
You may also enjoy reading some of Anthony William’s books, and I highly recommend you do:
Liver Rescue (Preorder)
To purchase a bioDot, click HERE and use the code energy10 for a 10% discount. I also use smartDots on my phone, hairdryer, router, and other devices.
This post is dedicated to all my amazing clients who are looking for answers. I hope this helps you to feel better and to propel you to ultimate wellness.
Elyn
~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~
Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make better, healthier, non-toxic choices. She emphasizes the critical nature of addressing the root cause of cancer and not just its presenting symptoms (such as the tumor). Elyn specializes in understanding the role of estrogen in breast cancer and debunks the myths associated. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and was creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show on the Cancer Support Network. Elyn is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and is on the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation. Contact Elyn via her website. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone or in person.
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[i] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/menopause-related-hot-flashes-night-sweats-can-last-years-201502237745
[ii] http://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/the-truth-about-menopause
elyn jacobs 