Are hot flashes after menopause considered normal?

Hot flashes affect 8 out of 10 women, considered as a most distressing symptom of menopause. ‘Women may get hot flashes before menopause, and it may last for about 2-7 years after menopause, although some women can have them for 10 years or more,’ says Dr Charles Badr, specialist obstetrics & gynecology at Medcare Women and children hospital.

It is normal and natural to experience it post menopause, he says. Other reasons that can also cause them include being overweight, eating spicy food, drinking coffee or tea, overactive thyroid function, diabetes, stress and anxiety, some medications and those having heart issues.

‘The condition is described as a sudden feeling of warmth or heat in the body mainly the face, neck and can be accompanied by sweating, dizziness or feeling generally unwell. These usually affect women who are approaching menopause, caused by changes in the hormone levels affecting body’s temperature control.

The most effective treatment for hot flashes is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but you need to speak to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using HRT,’ he says. TIPS TO ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS:

Cut down coffee and tea Stop smoking

Keep the room cool or use a fan

Deep slow abdominal breathing.

Wearing loose light cotton or silk clothes reduce the sense of heat.