We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Common Causes of Hot Flashes After Menopause?

By T. Webster
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 23,020
Share

Many women experience hot flashes during menopause, but hot flashes also can continue for several years after menopause is over. Changes in hormone levels and proteins released by osteoporosis are believed to be two causes of hot flashes after menopause. Stress, smoking and frequent alcohol consumption can worsen the symptoms.

Menopause usually occurs when the woman is between ages 45 and 55. During this time, hot flashes begin, estrogen and progesterone are produced less frequently, and menstruation slows down before stopping altogether. When a woman has not had a menstrual period for one year, she is considered to be in the post-menopause phase.

Hot flashes are defined as an intense and sudden feeling of warmth in the face and neck area or all over the body. Other symptoms can include nausea, anxiety, dizziness, a rapid heartbeat and headaches. Some women might feel a strange sense of foreboding before a hot flash strikes.

There really is no way to control when or where hot flashes might strike. Sometimes, they can cause a woman to wake up during the night in a heavy sweat, followed by cold shivering. These episodes can last from about 30 seconds to several minutes. The same mechanism that prevents the body from overheating is believed to cause hot flashes. For reasons not entirely known, a sudden drop in estrogen causes the body to think it is overheating.

In addition to hormonal changes, bone loss from osteoporosis also is believed to cause hot flashes. The proteins that can break down bones also are linked to the body's built-in temperature gauge. Similar to a change in hormones, this process can cause a false alarm that tells the body it needs to cool down.

Up to one-half of women continue to have hot flashes after menopause. The hot flashes can vary in duration and severity, and generally, their intensity will decrease over time.

Treatment for hot flashes can include hormone therapy or natural remedies. Hormone therapy is considered somewhat risky because it is linked to an increased risk for heart attacks, blood clots, strokes and breast cancer. Hormone therapy should always be done under the careful guidance of a medical professional.

Limiting tobacco and alcohol and practicing stress reduction can lessen the impact of hot flashes. Eating right, exercising and practicing rhythmic breathing can all help to reduce the sensations as well. Although these practices might not eliminate hot flashes after menopause, they can at least make the symptoms more manageable.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By donasmrs — On Apr 25, 2013

@MikeMason-- I don't think so. Hot flashes are all about how the hypothalamus reacts to hormonal changes.

By literally45 — On Apr 24, 2013

Many women dread menopause because of hot flashes, and when it finally occurs they seek various hot flash treatments. But we have to understand that hot flashes are all part of the process. Our body has adapted to high levels of estrogen for years, so when it drops suddenly, we experience all these symptoms. I consider hot flashes a part of estrogen withdrawal. Eventually, we do adapt.

By stoneMason — On Apr 24, 2013

Does genetics play a part in how a woman will experience hot flashes after menopause?

My grandmother had a lot of trouble with hot flashes after menopause. It lasted for years, she was almost seventy when she was free of them. My mom is also in menopause now and experiencing a lot of hot flashes.

Does this mean that it's going to be the same with me?

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-common-causes-of-hot-flashes-after-menopause.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.