- Hot flushes are caused by hormonal changes affecting your body's thermostat.
- HRT is the most effective medical treatment for moderate to severe flushes.
- Avoiding triggers like caffeine, alcohol and spicy food can help.
- Dressing in layers and keeping your environment cool are simple, effective strategies.
What is a Hot Flush?
A hot flush is a sudden feeling of intense heat, not caused by external sources. It often starts in the chest and face and spreads throughout the body, lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. It can be accompanied by sweating, a rapid heartbeat, and sometimes anxiety.
They are caused by the drop in oestrogen levels, which affects a part of your brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus acts as your body's thermostat, and when it's disrupted by hormonal changes, it can mistakenly think your body is overheating, triggering a flush to cool you down. It's an incredibly common symptom for women in the UK going through menopause.
Medical Treatments That Work
For frequent or severe hot flushes, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment available. By replacing the missing oestrogen, HRT addresses the root cause of the problem and can reduce the frequency and severity of flushes by around 80-90%.
For women who cannot or do not wish to take HRT, there are other options. Certain types of antidepressants, specifically SSRIs and SNRIs, can be prescribed "off-label" in low doses. While not as effective as HRT, they can help to reduce hot flushes for some women.
Lifestyle and Practical Strategies
You can also make a real difference with simple lifestyle adjustments. Identifying and avoiding your personal triggers is key; for many, this includes caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol. Practising mindfulness or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has also been shown to help women cope better with flushes.
Practical tips can help you manage an attack. Dress in layers of natural fibres that you can easily remove. Keep your bedroom cool at night, use a fan, and consider cooling pillows or mattress toppers. These small changes can significantly improve your quality of life.
Frequently asked questions
How long will I have hot flushes for?
It varies hugely. For some women, they last a year or two. For others, they can continue for ten years or more after their final period. The average is around seven years.
Can certain foods make hot flushes worse?
Yes, for many women they can. Common triggers include caffeine, alcohol (especially red wine), spicy food, and even large meals. Keeping a diary can help you identify your personal triggers.
Is it true that only HRT works?
HRT is the most effective treatment because it tackles the root cause – low oestrogen. However, for women who can't or don't want to take HRT, some antidepressant medications (SSRIs), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and lifestyle changes have been shown to help.
Do night sweats count as hot flushes?
Yes, they are essentially hot flushes that happen while you're asleep. They can be incredibly disruptive to your sleep, often causing you to wake up drenched in sweat, which contributes to fatigue and brain fog during the day.
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