Hot flushes shouldn’t stop you from enjoying life or looking good. Fifty One Apparel offers stylish clothing with NASA technology to keep women cool throughout the day and night. We talk to Barbara Warren, Business Development Manager, to find out more about this innovative brand.
What is Fifty One Apparel and why was it founded?
Fifty-One Apparel is a brand developed to help women in the menopause manage the, sometimes debilitating, symptoms of night sweats and hot flushes.
We recognised that while there was some clothing to help this demographic, there was little choice and what was available only focused on nightwear using very basic fabrics and uninspiring styles.
With more women than ever working during their menopause there seemed an obvious gap in the market to provide a product that looked as good in the office as in the bedroom.
Simple shapes in classic colours have been our handwriting from day one to give wide appeal with an emphasis on providing a high quality, technical product that actually works.
Innovative technology
The technology we use in all our clothing is Space Certified Outlast® originally developed by NASA to keep the astronauts’ temperature regulated during their missions to space. What better endorsement could we have?
While many brands may promote “cooling” clothing as an obvious solution for the night sweats and hot flushes, we recognised that very often the cold sweats which follow are often as unpleasant as the original symptoms.
Women need to feel confident and in providing comfort 24/7 we believe the technology we use does just that by interpreting the body’s heat, storing it and releasing it back to the body as the cooling process begins. We are big supporters of intelligent fabrics.
What can help ease hot flushes?
Two of the most common complaints from women in the menopause are hot flushes and night sweats. These uncomfortable symptoms affect approximately 75% of women in perimenopause and can continue once women reach the menopause.
The term “hot flush” is well known as a feeling of intense heat which isn’t caused by an external heat source and can come on quickly and without warning. They are a result of changes in the body’s hormonal balance.
There are some simple measures that can be taken to lessen the effects of the hot flush and night sweats:
Limit caffeine intake
Reduction of caffeine and alcohol can certainly affect the frequency of the hot flush. The intake of hot drinks can raise the body’s internal temperature which, in turn, encourages the body’s cooling mechanism to switch on and cause the body to sweat. While caffeine stimulates the sweat glands, alcohol widens the blood vessels — both of these are a catalyst for hot flushes and night sweats.
Stop smoking
While easier said than done, it’s thought that smoking may interfere with hormones and neurotransmitters that are linked to hot flushes. For example, higher androgen levels (testosterone) have been observed in smokers compared to non-smokers. Though oestrogen levels are similar in smokers and non-smokers, the higher androgen (sometimes known as the male hormone) levels from smoking will raise the androgen to oestrogen ratio, and this can be associated to the hot flushes.
Keep rooms cool
A simple remedy is turning down the thermostat, opening the windows, or using an air conditioner or fan. By keeping an indoor temperature below 21 degrees Celsius (70 Fahrenheit) during the day and 18 degrees Celsius (65 Fahrenheit) at night, the body’s temperature will feel more comfortable.
Clothing!
Fifty One Apparel’s body regulating day, lounge and nightwear collection keeps women cool no matter how hot they get. All the clothes have been designed to be worn at home or the office, to bed or at the gym.
Yoga and hot flushes
Exercise, in particular yoga, is also a great way to help regulate hot flushes.
It’s thought that blood pressure may increase after menopause due to hormonal changes. With practice, yoga can improve the circulation and oxygenation of blood to naturally bring blood pressure levels down.
Fatigue is a complaint often raised by women who may be impacted by interrupted sleep due to night sweats and once again yoga can bring renewed energy and vigour with a consistent yoga regime.
Hot flushes are a symptom most readily associated with the menopause, where the heat from the body needs to escape. Focussing your yoga practice on slow and weight-bearing movements can be an effective way to release the “fire”. As flexibility improves and the body strengthens, the aches and pains often suffered in menopause and perimenopause can be alleviated.
Yoga makes it the ideal choice for those with limited time to spare, a ten-minute daily practice can make a huge difference to your general wellbeing and can bring a degree of calm, essential to those who struggle with anxiety.
Read more about Yoga for Menopause and how it can help relieve menopause symptoms including hot flushes! Also read Yoga for hot flashes and 5 tips to reduce hot flashes.
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