These fall into two general categories: nonhormonal medications and hormonal medications (called hormone therapy). If lifestyle changes aren’t helping, there are many medication options that can help. What medications can help manage hot flashes? They are not regulated, so there is no guarantee that they are safe or effective. Talk with your ob-gyn if you are interested in trying these. Some people also use dietary supplements, like tofu, soy, and an herb called black cohosh. Sitting still in a cold room when possible Wearing layers of clothing, so you can easily take off layers to cool downĪvoiding spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, and hot drinks To help with hot flashes, I usually recommend starting with lifestyle changes. What lifestyle changes can help manage hot flashes? Some women continue to have hot flashes into their 60s and 70s. Some studies show anywhere from 4 to 10 years may be typical.

Studies show a wide variety in how many years hot flashes usually last. The year after your last period is often when hot flashes are most common. You know you’ve reached menopause when you go a full year without any menstrual bleeding. They may begin when you first start to skip periods. Hot flashes often start in the years leading up to menopause (the time known as perimenopause).

They can wake you up repeatedly and leave you feeling drained and tired the next day. For some, hot flashes feel mild, but for others they are more severe and may seriously disrupt day-to-day life. In fact, about a third of women have more than 10 hot flashes per day. Hot flashes usually happen at least daily. Heart palpitations (fluttering or fast-beating heart) They often last 1 to 5 minutes, and they can come with other symptoms too. Hot flashes involve the sudden feeling of heat in the upper body, usually in the face, chest, or neck. Here, I’ll discuss the basics of hot flashes, and I’ll review different ways to manage your symptoms. There’s a lot you can do on your own to feel better too. Ob-gyns and other health care professionals can help you find relief, no matter how mild or severe your symptoms are. And though hot flashes may be a fact of life, there’s no need to suffer through them without help. Hot flashes are common: As many as 8 in 10 women in the United States have hot flashes around the time of menopause. Efficacy and safety of gabapentin and pregabalin in patients with vasomotor symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hormone therapy and other treatments for symptoms of menopause. Use of gabapentin for the management of natural or surgical menopausal hot flashes. Comparison of gabapentin with estrogen for treatment of hot flashes in post-menopausal women.

ACOG releases clinical guidelines on management of menopausal symptoms.

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wearing loose, light layers of clothing that are easy to remove.

reducing stress and practicing relaxation techniques.

avoiding spicy food and any other hot flash triggers they notice.

Lifestyle changes may also help reduce hot flash frequency and intensity, while others may make it easier to cope when they occur. Certain antidepressants, and a blood pressure medication known as clonidine, have shown effectiveness in reducing hot flashes. While many people tolerate HT well, some prefer nonhormonal options.

Gabapentin for hot flashes