by gorgeousfluffpot » Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:28 am
I didn't find anything that really worked for me, and it was embarrassing as hell! At many business meetings I would suddenly see my reflection in a mirror, bright red, and people looking at me thinking "wonder if she's a secret drinkers". Whilst the broken nights and intense heat are awful, it was the embarrassment more than anything.
My advice - tell people, but in a jokey sense. Just say, at the start of any meeting/meal/occasion - "I'm at that stage in life when I'm having a few hot moments so do excuse me if I turn bright red on you". And then make a joke about does anyone have a fire extinguisher handy.
It will break the ice, and forewarn people. And, actually, most people will be fairly sympathetic. You mentioned the embarrassment, and this tackles it head on. Drink plenty of water, run your wrists under cool water, carry a Spanish fan (oooh looks very exotic, much better than those nasty battery-operated things ... it gives you a Continental air !). Wear only cotton, and layers. You won't be able to wear any synthetics/lurex/artificials for ages because when you hot-flush in those then you really DO burst into flames!
Have sympathy for me, though. I'm still having those hot moments but have somehow got roped into doing a party-turn for about 80 people this weekend - a belly dance in public would you believe. Went to the fancy dress shop and found a lovely outfit but it is NYLON (eeek!!! Double-eeeekkk!!). So, not only am I throwing my (a few stone) overweight carcass around, exposing my middle aged and rather flabby belly whilst lumbering about trying to look seductive, I am also doing this in what will be a very hot venue and also wearing a nylon outfit. If I hot-flush during that then they will DEFINITELY have to call out the fire engines!
Take cover! Hormones on the rampage again ...