I need help with hot flushes

Hello Anon

Thank you for writing.

Hot flushes, or hot flashes as they are known in the States, are generally seen around the time of perimenopause and menopause - between the ages of 40-60 or thereabouts. If you think this is the case with you, read on. If not, consult your doctor.

Doctors don’t know precisely what causes hot flashes. As women age, estrogen supplies decline. Medicine.net explains: “A disorder in thermoregulation (methods the body uses to control and regulate body temperature) is responsible for the heat sensation, but the exact way in which the changing hormone levels affect thermoregulation is not fully understood.”

On average, women experience hot flashes for seven years, while some may last even longer according to the recent Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Because hot flashes may intensify as you progress through early menopause, it’s best to find the treatment method that works for you in the beginning so that you can learn to ease your symptoms before they interfere with your daily life. Hot flashes may be the normal progression of early and full menopause, but you don’t have to put up with them. There are many options available, even if you’ve just recently started experiencing them.

Treatment Methods

There are both hormonal and nonhormonal treatments for hot flashes. Hormone therapy is reported as the most effective, however, there may be relief to be found for women who are not yet ready for that option or who are not appropriate candidates due to other medical issues.

Some women report controlling or lessening their hot flashes (and other menopausal symptoms) by regulating their diet (avoiding caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and other triggers), adjusting their environment (regulating indoor temperature, wearing light clothing), ceasing harmful lifestyle habits such as smoking, and using herbal supplements to reduce symptom severity. There is no specific, single way that all women must treat their hot flashes. It’s important to speak with your doctor and find the treatment that will work best for you

Best,
Susan