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Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause that feel like a sudden flare of heat, paired with sweating and flushed skin. Hot flashes typically start in your late 40s and can last for several months or several years. Treatment options can include prescription medications, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and lifestyle changes.
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Get tips for managing hot flashes and night sweats.
A hot flash is a sudden flare of intense heat, sweating and flushed skin. It’s a common and uncomfortable vasomotor (making your blood vessels larger or smaller) symptom of menopause. The reason hot flashes happen isn’t completely clear, but experts know hormonal changes cause it. As many as 3 in 4 people report having hot flashes in the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause).
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Hot flashes can feel different for everyone. Some people have mild and brief hot flashes, while others have severe hot flashes that disrupt their lives.
Even though hot flashes are common, it doesn’t mean you have to accept it as normal. There are ways to manage hot flashes and improve your quality of life. Talk to a healthcare provider if you need relief from hot flashes. They can discuss what options are available for you based on your symptoms and health history.
Hot flashes feel different for everyone. What might be a short inconvenience for one person could be intense, longer lasting discomfort for another. Hot flashes usually feel like a brief sensation of heat or warmth throughout your body. You may also have:
Not only can the intensity of hot flashes vary, but the length of time you have each hot flash can also vary. Hot flashes can even happen at night. These are called night sweats.
A typical hot flash lasts between one and five minutes each time. It varies from person to person. Up to 1 in 3 people report having more than 10 hot flashes per day.
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Hot flashes are a symptom of menopause that can happen as soon as you begin skipping periods or having irregular menstrual cycles. On average, menopause happens in your late 40s to early 50s. How many years you have hot flashes also varies. Some people have hot flashes for a few months, while others have them for years.
Hormonal changes are most likely the cause of hot flashes. Healthcare providers aren’t entirely sure of why, but they know there’s a connection between estrogen and body temperature. When estrogen levels decline during menopause, your body’s temperature regulation system can be disrupted. This can lead to sudden sensations of heat because your body may lose its ability to control its temperature.
Other factors like stress, medication and your environment can also contribute to the intensity and frequency of hot flashes.
A trigger is something that can set off a hot flash. Common triggers of hot flashes can include:
Avoiding things that trigger your hot flashes can be a great way to help manage how often you get hot flashes.
Hot flashes may seem like an inevitable symptom of menopause that you just need to deal with. But there are treatment options to improve your hot flashes. If you have hot flashes, particularly hot flashes that disrupt your daily life, reach out to a healthcare provider to learn more about treatment options.
In general, there are two categories of treatment options for hot flashes: prescription medications and over-the-counter (nonprescription) therapies.
Some prescription medications are used as off-label treatments to help reduce hot flashes. Using a product “off label” means that it’s not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hot flashes, but it can be safe and effective as a treatment option. There are also lifestyle changes you can make to help manage hot flashes.
It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about any treatment option and discuss the pros and cons. Your provider is aware of your medical history. Some treatment options may not be safe to take with your other medications or other medical conditions.
Your provider may prescribe hormone replacement therapy or nonhormonal prescription medications.
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Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) boosts your hormone levels and can relieve other symptoms of menopause like vaginal dryness. The hormones you receive depend on if you still have your uterus. Your options are:
Medications that don’t contain hormones can also be a treatment for hot flashes. Most of these treat conditions like depression, anxiety, sleep problems or overactive bladder. While they weren’t made for hot flashes, the following medications can reduce the frequency or intensity of them:
A newer medication called fezolineant (Veozah™) was specifically designed to help with hot flashes. It works by altering receptors in your brain. Fezolinetant and low-dose paroxetine are the only two medications that are FDA-approved for hot flashes.
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There are other medications you can take for hot flashes that don’t require a prescription. If you’re interested in natural treatments for hot flashes, ask your provider what they recommend.
The following list of nonprescription and herbal therapies isn’t recommended by most experts. This is because even though some small studies were done using these treatments, the research either had significant limitations or didn’t show any true benefit for hot flash relief.
Examples of nonprescription or herbal therapies are:
It’s always a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new medication or supplement for hot flashes. Sometimes, a product might seem safe on the surface, but it might not be a good option for you when you factor in other medications you take or other medical conditions you might have.
Many people try to eat more plant estrogen (phytoestrogens) to combat the hormonal changes that go along with menopause. Plant estrogens are thought to have estrogen-like effects that might reduce hot flashes. While consuming more of these foods is generally safe, you should talk to your healthcare provider first (especially if you have a history of breast cancer).
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Examples of phytoestrogens are:
Making small changes to your normal lifestyle can sometimes help limit the number and severity of your hot flashes. Some tips for managing hot flashes you can do on your own include:
You can’t prevent hot flashes, but you can avoid things you know cause them. This can reduce how frequently or how intensely you have hot flashes.
Get tips for managing hot flashes and night sweats.
Contact your healthcare provider if hot flashes are interfering with your life. They can discuss treatment options with you to help reduce your symptoms.
While menopause is one of the most common causes of hot flashes, thyroid disorders are also a common cause. Viral infections like the flu can cause hot flashes, too, as can certain medications.
If you have hot flashes and aren’t in perimenopause, another condition or factor could be responsible. Contact a healthcare provider so they can help determine what’s causing your symptoms.
No one wants to feel like they’re in a sauna. But that’s how it can feel when you have hot flashes. Just because they’re a common and widely accepted symptom of menopause doesn’t mean you should endure them. Plus, not all hot flashes happen because of menopause.
Seeking treatment from a healthcare provider is the best way to determine what’s causing hot flashes and how you manage them. There are many possible options available to you. Lifestyle changes, hormone therapy (HT) and nonhormonal treatments are just a few treatments your provider may suggest.
Last reviewed on 10/21/2024.
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