Hot Flashes

 

A hot flash is a sudden flare of heat in the upper body, which can cause sweating and flushed skin. They are usually most intense over the face, neck and chest. Hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause, and are extremely aggravating to women. While some women never have hot flashes and others have mild or infrequent hot flashes, some women experience dozens each day.

Much like many other aspects of hot flashes, the length of time they last varies greatly from person to person. Some may only experience them for a short while during menopause, but not the entire time. Others may find that they end once you become post-menopausal, although there is a possibility they can last for the rest of your life. If this is the case, they often become less severe as time goes on.

For most women, hot flashes eventually get better without any treatment (which also makes it hard to determine if a particular treatment is effective).[1] Some women experience severe hot flashes that can make it difficult to get a full night’s sleep, which, in turn, affects women’s mood and concentration, and can cause other physical problems. This Fact Sheet describes the various approaches women use to manage and minimize their hot flashes.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy

Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) is the use of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to boost women’s hormone levels and minimize symptoms of the menopausal transition, including hot flashes. MHT is the most reliably effective treatment for hot flashes. It reduces the frequency and severity of hot flashes and commonly occurring symptoms such as disrupted sleep, mood instability, difficulty concentrating, and reduced quality of life.[2] Clinical trials show that 75 percent of women will experience significant relief within four to eight weeks.[3]

MHT can be taken as a pill or absorbed through the skin via sprays, gels, or patches. Women who still have their uterus have to take a combination MHT that includes both the hormones progesterone and estrogen to protect themselves from endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining) that can result from using estrogen alone. Women who have had a hysterectomy and don’t have a uterus can use estrogen alone.

MHT prescribing practices have undergone significant changes over the last few decades as the understanding of the treatment’s risks and benefits has evolved. Prior to the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial results in 2002, MHT was widely accepted as a safe and effective treatment of menopausal symptoms.

The Women’s Health Initiative’s (WHI) trial that compared the use of estrogen plus progestin to placebo in healthy post-menopausal women (called the WHI-E+P trial) demonstrated HT’s risks. It showed an increased risk of heart disease and stroke emerged within the first year of HT use, and that women who stay on MHT for longer periods of time continue to have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.[4] This led many women to stop taking, and many physicians to stop prescribing, MHT.[5]

After many years of uncertainty regarding MHT, a reanalysis of the Women’s Health Initiative data and the outcomes of recent studies have provided some clarity regarding the balance of risks and benefits of systemic MHT. Age and years since menopause have now been identified as significant variables in the benefit-risk profile. The sub-analysis of the WHI results by age group revealed the increased risks identified for coronary heart disease (CHD) applied mainly to women who started HT after age 60 or a decade past menopause.[5-8] Further randomized controlled trials such as the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS) and the Early Versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol (ELITE) have subsequently demonstrated a favorable safety profile of HT when started early in menopause. [9][10]

A second WHI trial examined the effect of taking estrogen alone (the WHI-CEE trial) and demonstrated that estrogen alone increases women’s risk of stroke and thromboembolis.[11] [12] These risks go away once women stop taking estrogen. This trial found that estrogen therapy did not increase the risk of breast cancer. Other studies have found an increase in the risk of breast cancer with very long-term use (22 percent increased risk among women using estrogen HT for 10-14.9 years and 43 percent increased risk with 15-19.9 years of use); it is important to note that these studies were not randomized and cannot be considered to be conclusive. The risk of ovarian cancer, which is much less common than breast cancer, is increased by estrogen therapy, although the increased risk does not occur as quickly as the risk of blood clots and stroke.[13] [14]

The WHI findings were so significant that the WHI-E+P trial was ended earlier than planned, in 2002 (HT use declined afterward, leading to a sharp subsequent decline in breast cancer rates). As a result of the WHI’s findings, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises women to use the smallest dose that effectively treats their hot flashes for the shortest amount of time possible.[15] Women who use HT may wish to confer with their care provider about the option of stopping it every six months or so.

Natural / Bio-identical Hormones

Women hear a lot about the supposed benefits and lack of side effects of “natural hormones.” Celebrity endorsements, pharmacy advertisements, and clinician recommendations all claim that MHT’s risks can be avoided by using “natural” (or “bio-identical hormone replacement therapy” [BHRT]) hormones. Women’s bodies naturally produce the hormones estrone, estradiol, estriol, and progesterone, and the hormones can also be produced in laboratories. The Network considers “natural hormones” to be just a marketing term, used to convey the false impression that these hormones are always safe, whether they’re created in a woman’s body or in a laboratory.

Regardless of how these hormones are produced, taking them to prevent disease or improve health has not been shown to be either safe or effective. There is no scientific evidence that “natural” or “bio-identical” therapy is any more effective, or safer, than MHT.

The FDA, which does not recognize the term “bio-identical”, states that it:

“Compounded drugs can serve an important medical need for patients, but they do not have the same safety, quality, and effectiveness assurances as approved drugs. Unnecessary use of compounded drugs unnecessarily exposes patients to potentially serious health risks.

Because compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, [the] FDA does not verify their safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed. In addition, poor compounding practices can result in serious drug quality problems, such as contamination or a drug that contains too much active ingredient. This can lead to serious patient injury and death. [16]

The American Cancer Society cautions:

"The use of these [bio-identical] hormones has been marketed as a safe way to treat the symptoms of menopause. It is important to realize that although there are only a few studies that compare ‘bio[-]identical’ or ‘natural’ hormones to synthetic versions of hormones, there is no evidence that they are safer or more effective. The use of these bio[-]identical hormones should be assumed to have the same health risks as any other type of hormone therapy."[17]

Many of the proponents of “natural” hormones encourage women to use estriol, a weak estrogen that, in high doses, can be used to treat hot flashes. The FDA has no evidence that drugs containing estriol are safe and effective, or are “safer forms of estrogen.” In fact, there are no FDA-approved drugs containing estriol. Marketed drugs that contain estriol are compounded drugs, and therefore not FDA-approved.[18] The Network recommends that women not use estriol until adequate studies are done. Compared to other natural hormones, there are many good studies about the effectiveness of estradiol, which is a more potent form of estrogen. FDA-approved estradiol-containing products to treat hot flashes include Alora, Climera, Divigel, Estrace, Estraderm, Estrogel, Evamist, and Vivelle.[19] In 2019, the FDA approved the first bioidentical hormone therapy combination of estradiol and progesterone for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: Bijuva.[20] The Network supports the informed use of all types of estrogen (in the lowest dose for the shortest duration) to relieve hot flashes and encourages women to use reliable suppliers (i.e. FDA-approved) manufacturers.

Inadequate research also causes problems for women who are considering using progesterone to treat hot flashes. There is some evidence that natural progesterone (often marketed in a micronized cream format) is effective for relieving hot flashes, and there are some intriguing theories proposed by creative researchers who are examining the effect of progesterone on women going through the menopause transition. But — aside from the one drug form of natural micronized progesterone (Prometrium) that has been FDA-approved — most progesterone creams are marketed as cosmetics, with very limited FDA oversight; there is also a lack of good studies supporting their effectiveness or safety.[21] [22] Prometrium is prescribed as a pill for use in conjunction with estrogen HT. The Network supports its use in this manner by women who are using estrogen to deal with hot flashes.

Compounding Pharmacies

Another issue related to promotion of natural / bio-identical hormones stems from the fact that proponents often encourage women to get these products from compounding pharmacies, which prepare customized and tailored prescriptions for their clients rather than using drugs in standard dosages provided by the manufacturer. The FDA stated that: “[the] FDA is concerned that the claims for safety, effectiveness, and superiority that these pharmacy operations are making mislead patients, as well as doctors and other healthcare professionals. Compounded drugs are not reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. Patients who use compounded hormone drugs should discuss menopausal HT options with their healthcare provider to determine whether compounded drugs are the best option for their specific medical needs.”[23]

Compounding pharmacies’ products are not subject to FDA regulations to the same degree that drugs made in standard pharmacies are, so the quality of these products may be inconsistent. Incorrectly prepared compounded products have been linked to negative outcomes, including death. In two rounds of testing, FDA analysis has found that a startling percentage of compounded drugs (including bio-identical hormones) are incorrectly prepared. In 2001 testing, the FDA found that 34 percent of samples failed one or more standard quality tests, including 2 of the 8 (25 percent) compounded hormone drugs.[24] In 2006 testing, 33 percent of samples failed analytical testing, including 9 of the 13 (29 percent) compounded hormone drugs.

Alternatives to Hormones

Because the risks of MHT are serious (even if they are relatively uncommon, especially for women in their 50s), many women want to avoid these risks and seek alternative ways to cope with hot flashes. The research on alternative approaches is not as extensive as that on MHT, however. And, what works for one woman may not for another; the Network recommends, if one strategy doesn't provide relief, women should try another.

Behavioral Techniques

Some simple changes in temperature and/or food can help manage hot flashes.

  • Staying cool: Several studies have shown that exposure to cold can relieve a hot flash.[25] Sipping cold fluids and maintaining a cool environment can prevent or quickly curtail hot flashes. Wearing layers allows women to shed clothes quickly when their temperature rises. Sleeping nude helps to dissipate the heat of night sweats, and layering blankets enable women to cast off layers during a hot flash. Women can also use portable fans, gel cooling packs, and/or cooling pillows to curtail hot flashes.
  • Some plant foods contain phytoestrogens

    Dietary strategies: Many women make dietary changes to relieve their hot flashes either by limiting foods that trigger hot flashes and/or by increasing the intake of beneficial foods. Food triggers haven’t been well studied, and certainly, vary from woman to woman. Women who recognize that certain substances trigger hot flashes (such as caffeine, chocolate, spicy and hot foods, and alcohol) can try to limit these foods and evaluate whether their hot flashes improve. Anecdotally, some women report that eating plant foods that contain phytoestrogens (which resemble estrogen) helps reduce hot flashes; these foods include nuts, oilseeds, soy products, and legumes. Studies examining phytoestrogen-containing foods’ effect on hot flashes have had mixed results; one study found increased soy consumption reduced the severity, but not the number, of hot flashes,[26] while another found that the number of hot flashes declined (the study didn’t measure severity).[27] Women who have been treated for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer may not be able to use this approach, however, as there is some evidence that phytoestrogens may stimulate breast cancer.

Stress Management

Techniques to relieve stress can be effective in combating hot flashes.

  • Paced breathing: Studies have found that slow, deep breathing can reduce the frequency of hot flashes by about 50 percent.[28] Paced breathing, which is easy and can be done anytime, involves slowing one’s breathing rate down from about 10-15 breaths per minutes to just 6 breaths per minute. The breath should come from deep inside the abdomen. Assess this by putting one hand on your abdomen and the other on your chest; the former should rise and fall with the breath, while the latter should not move. Breathe in for five seconds, then out for five seconds to get the timing right.
  • Relaxation response: “Relaxation response” is a term that describes physiological changes that are the opposite of the “fight or flight” response, and is characterized by a slower heart rate and measured breathing. It can be invoked by a variety of techniques, including paced breathing, assuming a comfortable position in a quiet room, and meditating. In a randomized study, women who practiced the relaxation response reported the intensity and severity of their hot flashes decreased significantly (the frequency was unchanged), and their anxiety levels decreased significantly.[29]

Non-Hormonal Drugs

Some non-hormonal drugs can be used off-label to minimize hot flashes. Two non-MHT drugs have been shown to be effective in relieving hot flashes. The first, venlafaxine, is an anti-depressant; the second, clonidine, is a drug to lower high blood pressure.[30] [31] Studies show improvement in hot flashes among some populations using these drugs, particularly women who experience hot flashes as a reaction to cancer treatment.[32] The effectiveness studies were small and short-term, so information about complications and long-term effects is still limited. The FDA has not evaluated or approved either drug for use in treating hot flashes, so these prescriptions are given “off label” by providers.

Gabapentin is a medication that was developed to treat seizures but it can also relieve hot flashes in some people. Oxybutynin is a drug that is usually used to treat overactive bladder and urinary incontinence. However, it has also shown to be effective for treating hot flashes, with the most troublesome side effect being dry mouth. The injectable progestin birth control hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate (brand name: Depo-Provera) helps to reduce hot flashes about as well as estrogen. Despite this, it is not commonly used because of side effects such as irregular vaginal bleeding, acne, headache, and depression.[33]

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

CAM is the term for products and practices that are not part of standard Western medical care.

Between 40% and 50% of women in Western countries use complementary therapies to manage menopausal symptoms.[34]

  • Herbs: Plant-derived estrogens (phytoestrogens) have been advertised as a "natural" or "safer" alternative to hormones for relieving menopausal symptoms. Phytoestrogens are found in many foods, including soybeans, chickpeas, lentils, grains, fruits, vegetables, and red clover. You can also buy supplements containing isoflavone, a type of phytoestrogen, in health food stores.
    • A meta-analysis of clinical trials suggested that composite and specific phytoestrogen supplementations were associated with modest reductions in the frequency of hot flashes and vaginal dryness but no significant reduction in night sweats. However, due to the general suboptimal quality and the heterogeneous nature of the current evidence, further studies are needed to determine the association of plant-based and natural therapies with menopausal health.[34]
    • Studies on dong quai (female ginseng) and evening primrose oil have not found them to be significantly effective at reducing hot flashes. We believe it is likely that women who experience relief with herbs are sometimes experiencing a placebo effect. Sage is also reputed to help hot flashes, but should not be use d since it can cause seizures and other neurological problems.
  • Acupuncture: Acupuncture is helpful to treat hot flashes.[35] In a recent study, women who received traditional acupuncture showed significant improvement in their menopausal symptoms compared to those who received placebo acupuncture.[36] Electro acupuncture (where a small current is passed between acupuncture needles) also helps reduce both the number and intensity of hot flashes.[37] [38] [39]

Conclusion

The NWHN recommends that women who experience troublesome hot flashes try non-hormonal therapies first. Like the FDA, we believe that a woman who chooses MHT should use the lowest dose to alleviate her symptoms, for as short a time as possible. Women who have been taking MHT to relieve hot flashes can work with their health care providers to reduce the amount they take and find the lowest effective dose. Some women will be able to stop taking MHT entirely if they’ve made it through the hot flash stage of the menopausal transition. Women who start MHT should also know that hot flashes may recur after they stop taking hormone therapy, especially if MHT is stopped suddenly.

Resources

 


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