Hot flashes: Healthy upside for menopausal women is fine, but what about relief?

Some women may have rejoiced at the news that hot flashes early in menopause might be a good thing for their hearts. Sufferers would like to think there could be a healthy upside.

But the study published Thursday in the journal Menopause doesn’t explain what might be causing the link, suggesting only an association. That means more research is needed.

And in the meantime, some women are just plain stuck with hot flashes -- no matter when they occur.

RELATED: Hot flashes at menopause may signal a lower risk for heart attacks and stroke

But we’re here for those women, with helpful advice from WomensHealth.gov:

“--Try to avoid things that may trigger hot flashes, like spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, stress, or being in a hot place.
--Dress in layers, and remove some when you feel a flash starting.
--Use a fan in your home or workplace.
--If you still get periods, ask your doctor about low-dose oral contraceptives (birth control pills), which may help.
--Some women can take menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), which can be very effective in treating hot flashes and night sweats. --If MHT is not an option, your doctor may prescribe medications that usually are used for other conditions, like epilepsy, depression, and high blood pressure, but that have been shown to help with hot flashes.”

If these don’t provide relief, keep your fingers crossed that those early hot flashes might signify something good. Maybe.