5 Encouraging Facts About Hot Flashes

About three of four women are estimated to experience hot flashes as part of the menopause transition. This annoying side effect can last anywhere from a few weeks to a decade. However, there could be a silver lining to these typically dreary happenings.

At Ovation Wellness in Madison, Mississippi, our team of providers led by doctors Robert Harris, MD, and Steven Speights, MD, educate women on menopause and accompanying side effects, such as hot flashes. 

We help you understand what is happening to your body and how to ease the transition it’s going through. Here are five positive things to know about hot flashes:

1. A hot flash is typically just a flash in the pan

Even if you get hot flashes, you can take comfort that it will be over quickly. The episode can be short, but the average hot flash runs only four minutes before it’s over. If you feel like your hot flashes last longer than 10 minutes, you’re probably experiencing multiple hot flashes back to back. If this happens to you, call us — we can help.

2. Hot flashes have triggers, meaning they may be preventable

While not all women can pinpoint what causes their hot flashes, many can eventually identify specific triggers. Keeping a journal can help. When a hot flash hits, quickly write down the time of day, where you are, the weather, and what you’re wearing, doing, and eating or drinking. For some women, certain fabric blends may be the culprit; for others, it could be drinking alcohol or eating spicy foods.

3. You might be able to limit occurrences with lifestyle changes

It’s not a given that changing your habits will eliminate hot flashes, but some modifications tend to help a broad range of women. Managing stress, stopping smoking, and losing extra weight can all help reduce hot flash episodes.

4. Treatments exist to address hot flashes

Some antidepressants and antiseizure medications have been used successfully to reduce the frequency and duration of hot flashes. The more common route is to simply use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to rebalance estrogen in your body, easing menopause symptoms across the board. Bioidentical hormone pellets release slowly over time and are easier on your body than other forms of hormone treatment.

5. These unpleasant instances won’t last forever

Most women stop having hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopause side effects after just 2-4 years. So be comforted by the fact that you won’t feel this way forever, then call us to discover what treatment(s) could be right for you. 

To schedule an appointment, call us at 601-202-1340, or visit the contact page for more options.