Women's Health Doctor: Hot Flashes and Hormones

By Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD

Holistic Female Hormone Specialist

Hormone imbalance can cause hot flashes, night sweats and heat intolerance as is common in menopause. While at the Phoenix Zoo with my daughter I came across the scene of Mama Bess-hot and exhausted napping in the heat wave while her baby is bouncing around with tons of energy in my Instagram video! I laughed as I watched Baby Jiwa, full of energy, busy toddling around the yard with his blankie. Building a tent, eating bugs, chewing on pipes, and playing peek-a-boo with me. I love how his Mom tenderly reaches out in her sleep. Is there an Arizona Mom that cannot relate to this scene?

While it is definitely normal for women to feel too hot, fatigued, tired, blah, unmotivated, or depressed on occasion, it's not normal if it is happening all the time. If the weather goes back to normal and you are still overheated, having night sweats, hot flashes, trouble sleeping or even the other extreme of feeling constantly too cold please schedule an appointment to get your hormones tested. When my female patients are experiencing chronic fatigue, we need to check their hormones, vitamins, iron levels and basic blood chemistry. Being constantly tired, sweaty or overheated can be related to hormone imbalance common in menopause, perimenopause and thyroid disease. Temperature issues can also be related to nutrition, anemia and vitamin deficiency, such as low B-12.

Hormone imbalance, like low estrogen and/or progesterone can cause hot flashes and heat intolerance. Thyroid conditions can also disrupt temperature, causing women to feel constantly too hot or too cold. Constant insomnia, anxiety, or depression can also cause chronic fatigue. Adrenal hormones and thyroid hormones can play a role in this. Low thyroid function can cause depression.

As a women’s health doctor I have never seen the Mom's I care for more unhealthy. Many are overweight, and have been depressed, frustrated, stressed out and anxious this past year. Mom’s are drinking too much, eating too much, not sleeping and lacking adequate support. Mom’s have had to take major stress hits amidst lockdowns. Cancelled sports, and other activities, lack of help from older immunosuppressed relatives, and even online school. I know some Mom’s that have been forced to put their careers on hold for their children’s well-being, all of this can take its toll, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

The best part of back to school week is that some Mom’s can breathe a sigh of relief, and have some extra time to focus on their own physical and mental health. Now that our kids are back to school it is a very important time for every exhausted Mom to get their check up. It's important for each and every mom to put their health first and get hormone labs scheduled to make sure they are healthy and have optimal hormones.

Dr. Nicole Sundene, NMD

(480) 837-0900

Dr. Sundene is a Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is considered a Female Hormone Expert  in Women's Health and Bioidentical Hormones. She specializes in Holistic Women's Health for Menopause, Thyroid, Hashimotos, PMS, Perimenopause, Autoimmune, Postpartum, Chronic Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Food Allergies, Digestion, Dermatology , Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema and Adrenal Hormonal Conditions. In 1999 she began working for a Hormone Doctor prior to starting Naturopathic Medical School. With over 22 years of experience in both Prescription and Natural women's health and hormones she presents to women the best integrated health solutions for their Chronic Disease. She has been an Herbalist for over 27 years and enjoys teaching women how to use herbs to balance their hormones, nutrition and optimize their health. Dr. Sundene relies on blood testing for her hormone metrics. The hormone testing is covered per the patient's insurance plan and conducted at certain points in the woman's menstrual cycle. To learn more about Hormone Testing for Women Visit: Bioidentical Hormones. Follow Dr. Sundene on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for more tips on Women's Health, Female Hormones and Naturopathy!