Mama Mia! Here you go again.
You have this sudden feeling of unexplained heat in your upper body. You may sweat profusely. It could be daytime. It could be nighttime.
It could be hot flashes.
Hot flashes are often associated with natural perimenopause and menopause. About 70% of women in the US experience hot flashes once they reach menopause age. Hot flashes are also common in women who experience surgical menopause after ovary removal surgery or chemotherapy. And it’s not uncommon to have hot flashes during pregnancy or after giving birth.
What Are Hot Flashes?
Hot flashes are often described as sudden heat sensations that are occasionally accompanied by sweating and facial redness. An episode can last a minute or longer and can be mild or severe. Some women have hot flashes at night as well as night sweats which can disrupt their sleep pattern on a short-term or long-term basis. Others experience them during the day. When hot flashes are followed by face and neck redness, they are referred to as hot flushes.
What Causes Hot Flashes During Menopause?
The culprits are your hormone levels which change during and after menopause and pregnancy. Though the connection is not exactly clear, a hot flash is usually triggered by a decrease in your estrogen level.
How Long Do Hot Flashes Last?
No two women are the same which is why we each have different experiences. Some women never experience hot flashes during menopause. Others experience hot flashes for a relatively short time, while others report having them for 11 years or more. Based on that, the average lasting time of hot flashes/night sweats is about seven years.
How Long Do Hot Flashes Last During Pregnancy?
Hot flashes during pregnancy can start at any point, but are most common during the third trimester. However, about 18% of women report experiencing hot flashes within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is estimated that 35% of women tend to have hot flashes during pregnancy, while 29% even have them after childbirth. When it comes to postpartum hot flashes, they tend to be the strongest about two weeks after delivery.
What Causes Hot Flashes During Pregnancy?
Hot flashes during or after pregnancy, like the menopausal type, are related to fluctuating levels of estrogen.
During pregnancy, the estrogen and progesterone levels rise in order to provide a perfect environment for healthy fetal development. It’s this hormonal spike that can also cause hot flashes in pregnancy. Since the blood flow in the body is increased, pregnant women could feel heat sensations from time to time, break out in sweat suddenly, and appear red in their face and neck.
How to Deal with Hot Flashes?
While there is generally little you can do to eliminate hot flashes, there are ways to minimize the severity. Here are some common triggers to avoid:
- Spicy foods
- Caffeine
- Tight clothes
- Alcohol
- Cigarette smoke
- Stress
The following practices can also help to get some hot flash relief:
- Stay cool. Not only should you avoid exposure to heat, but you can also apply a cold pack or make yourself a chill pillow by filling it with cold water. Lowering the temperature in your bedroom and staying hydrated can also be beneficial.
- Try meditation. More precisely, slow and deep abdominal breathing techniques in the morning and evening for about 15 minutes can prove to be rather helpful. Your goal should be to slow down your breathing to about eight breaths per minute.
- Wear loose-fitting garments made of lightweight and natural materials such as cotton. If you’re experiencing hot flashes during colder seasons, wear several light layers of clothing so that you can easily remove unnecessary layers when needed.
- Work up a sweat! Exercising daily to minimize the intensity and frequency of your heart flashes. Choose the type and level of physical activity according to where you are in your pregnancy or how flexible your joints are. In general, swimming, cycling, dancing, and walking are all good workouts.
- Carry a portable fan as well as a water bottle so that you can cool and rehydrate yourself when necessary.
Medical Treatment for Hot Flashes
Hot flashes can impact your daily life. Night sweats can lead to fatigue and day sweats can be embarrassing. If hot flashes are impacting your quality of life, you should consider scheduling an appointment with your OB-GYN to rule out medical issues and discuss the options.
The most common treatment for hot flashes related to menopause includes:
- HRT: Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) can be effective for women entering menopause. Hormone replacement therapy shouldn’t be taken for more than five years, but it can help with hot flashes as well as other menopause symptoms such as mood swings and vaginal dryness.
- Anti-Depressants: Lower doses of available antidepressants such as venlafaxine (sold as Effexor), fluoxetine (sold as Rapiflux and Prozac), and paroxetine (sold as Pexeva and Paxil) are often prescribed to provide relief.
- Other Prescription medications: Meds such as Gabapentin, which is an anti-seizure drug, or Clonidine, which is a drug that controls blood pressure as well as paroxetine-based Brisdelle or bazedoxifene-based Duavee have been found to reduce menopausal hot flushes.
- Vitamin combos: Ibuprofen, together with vitamin E and a complex of B vitamins, can also prove to be helpful.
For pregnant women, avoiding the triggers and following the healthy practices listed above are the best treatment though a conversation with your OB-GYN can be helpful.
Though hot flashes are harmless, they can be life disruptors. There are a host of medical and alternative treatments which can help improve your quality of life. Our goal, at South Miami OB-GYN Associates, is to keep up with the latest treatments and keep you informed about the benefits and risks.
Ready for a consult? Contact us today to start the conversation.
