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Menopause: Managing Hot Flashes

Table of Contents


Overview

A hot flash is a sudden feeling of intense body heat. Your head, neck, and chest may get red. Your heartbeat may speed up, and you may feel anxious. You may find that hot flashes occur more often in warm rooms or during stressful times.

It's common to have hot flashes at some point before or after menopause. Hot flashes happen when estrogen levels drop. You may have few to no hot flashes, or you may have them many times each day.

Hot flashes can be uncomfortable and upsetting. They can lower the quality of your sleep and daily life. But they aren't a sign of a medical problem. They are a normal response to natural changes in your body.

Hot flashes usually get better or go away after the first or second year after menopause. At that point, estrogen levels usually stay at a low level.

You can try lifestyle changes that may help you manage or reduce your hot flashes.

You also can talk to your doctor about treatments that may either reduce or stop your hot flashes. These include taking hormone therapy and certain medicines.


How can you manage hot flashes?

Lifestyle choices

You can manage hot flashes by making certain lifestyle choices. Some measures may help to prevent or reduce hot flashes. Others can make you more comfortable when you're having a hot flash.

Medicines

There are prescription medicines that can help with hot flashes.


Credits for Menopause: Managing Hot Flashes

Current as of: November 27, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
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