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DR HILARY'S DIAGNOSIS

Hot flushes and night sweats are among the most common menopausal symptoms with 80 per cent of women experiencing them for around three years after their periods stop.

The cause is ‘oestrogen withdrawal’– a sudden fall in female hormone levels resulting in changes in the heat-regulating centre in the brain.

The risks of breast cancer and blood clots when taking HRT are overstated, and for women with severe symptoms it is very helpful.

But it’s worth trying natural alternatives too.

Linda’s already taking black cohosh and red clover which contain plant-based phytoestrogens that can help reduce symptoms.

Foods like soya beans and linseeds help too, as do vitamin E, evening primrose oil and magnesium supplements if taken regularly.

But it’s best to try to avoid alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods and garlic as they often stimulate sweating.

'How can I stop my hot flushes?'

EVERY WEEK A CELEB ASKS OUR FABULOUS DOCTOR FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THIS WEEK IT'S ACTRESS LINDA ROBSON, 50

I have hot flushes all the time that come on without any warning.

My face and chest go red and blotchy, while the sweat makes my hair frizzy and my make-up slide down my face.

There’s nothing I can do about them other than try to cool down.

They started three years ago.

My GP told me it was the start of the menopause and put me on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) which helped reduce the flushes.

But I kept reading about the increased risk of cancer, so I stopped taking it after six months and went to a herbalist who recommended black cohosh and red clover instead.

Although I take both of them every day, I’m still getting lots of hot flushes.

I’m definitely more short-tempered and my husband Mark takes the mickey out of me, but it’s actually quite distressing.

Besides using HRT, how can I control these flushes?"

Linda is on Celebrity MasterChef, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8pm and Fridays at 8.30pm, BBC1.

Words: Vicki Grimshaw. Photography: Rex

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