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Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause.

Hot flashes can be intense and they can happen suddenly. They can also be distressing and lead to shame or embarrassment. You don’t have to just live with it – there are treatment options.

What are hot flashes?

Hot flashes are sudden feelings of heat, warmth, or flushing, usually occurring in greater intensity in the upper body (neck, face, chest). Hot flashes can also cause sweating. They generally happen during menopause, when hormone levels change.

Am I really not the only one?

Hot flashes occur in 75-80% of menopausal women in the United States – you are definitely not alone!

What are the symptoms

While many women will experience hot flashes during menopause, some will not. The severity and length of hot flashes will vary from person to person. Women who experience hot flashes generally find their quality of life is impacted.

Symptoms of a hot flash include:

  • Sensation of warmth or flushing, especially in the upper body
  • Redness of the face, neck, or chest
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Chills after a hot flash
  • Sweating

Treatment Options

Many treatment options are available to alleviate the severity of hot flashes.

Treatment options include:

  • Prescription medication
  • Hormone therapy
  • Lifestyle changes, including avoiding certain foods and drinks, weight loss, mind-body therapy, smoking cessation, lowering stress levels
  • Supplements
  • Natural, non-hormonal approaches (cooling sprays, temperature regulated sheets and pajamas, use of the Embr Wave app)

What to expect on your visit

During your visit, you can expect your care team to listen to and address all of your concerns in a safe and trusted space. 

A consultation for hot flashes may include:

  • A history and physical examination
  • Labs
Am I destined to have hot flashes forever?

Probably not. For most women, withdrawal from estrogen during menopause is what triggers a hot flash. Hot flashes are worse in some women than in others, and can be effectively treated with certain medications.

Do I always have to use hormones?

No. There is a prescription, non-hormonal, FDA-approved medication, paroxetine (Brisdelle), that can be used to treat hot flashes.

Can men have hot flashes?

Yes they can. The root cause of hot flashes is the same for both men and women: changes in hormone levels.

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