The one symptom of advancing womanhood that everyone talks about is called a "hot flash." Doctors label hot flashes as a vasomotor symptom -- a series of biochemical events that occur when your temperature controlling mechanism goes slightly awry. The result: Your body thinks you're overheated, even when you're not. That, in turn, directs your blood vessels to quickly discharge what it perceives as excess heat.The whole "event" is mediated by the peaks and valleys of fluctuating estrogen levels.

The National Institute on Aging estimates that 60% of all women approaching menopause have hot flashes. For decades, most women banked on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for help. Unfortunately, the Women's Health Initiative study of 2002 cast a huge shadow of doubt on this form of treatment.

The good news is there is more than one way to cool a flash. The following are approaches to try to remedy a hotflash:

1. Watch what you're wearing.

It's not just the heavy sweaters and suit jackets that can make you feel warm. Certain fabrics to avoid include nylon, spandex, and some close-knit polyesters, all of which can hold in body heat and make it harder for you to cool down. To avoid night sweats, which are really hot flashes that occur in your sleep, skip nylon nighties or PJs, and avoid satin or all polyester sheets.

2. Exercise as much as you can.

Studies show that women who exercise regularly during menopause may get fewer hot flashes, and the duration of the flashes they do get may be shorter.

3. Use cool water to cool down

Cool water or cold compresses placed on certain key areas of the body can stop a flash almost instantly, or keep the one that's already happened from coming back for a second heat wave. The key areas are: inside of the wrists, the inside of the elbows, the back of the neck, or, if you're in private, the pulse points on either side of your groin. Other ideas: Keep your environment cool. Try to avoid hot showers, whirlpool tubs, and Jacuzzis -- all can stimulate a hot flash by raising body temperature.

4. Take a deep breath -- and relax.

If you're plagued with frequent flashes, check your breathing patterns. When we're excited we can hyperventilate, which simply means we take in more oxygen than we need. For many people the end result is a feeling of spreading warmth. This, in turn, may kick off a true hot flash. Paced breathing may be the most effective relaxation method studied.

5. Stop and smell the roses.

The scents that normally bring on a sensation of relaxation include not only roses, but lavender, vanilla, and lemongrass, plus essential oils like ylang-ylang, geranium, and clary sage.

6. Stop smoking.

Good evidence shows that smoking can worsen hot flashes

Treatments Your Doctor Can Prescribe
1. Antidepressants (Zoloft, Effexor, Paxil, and so on)

2. Bio-identical hormones.

Although they're created in a laboratory much like traditional HRT, bio-identical hormones are identical to what your body produces naturally. Thus, some experts say they may be safer than traditional HRT, and many women report they can help hot flashes and other symptoms, including mood swings and sexual dysfunction.

3. Clonidine (a blood pressure medication)

When used in small doses, this traditional blood pressure medication might help relieve hot flashes by relaxing blood vessels, which in turn may have some effect on the localized release of body heat. Though the drug has some side effects, including dry mouth and sleep disturbances, research shows it can decrease hot flashes by up to 46% with no significant health risks.