What causes post menopausal flushes?

Caffeine sometimes triggers flushes, so keep caffeine intake (coffee, tea, fizzy drinks) to a minimum and ensure that you are drinking plenty of water to rehydrate yourself. Dehydration can cause feelings of anxiety, which then makes flushes worse.

It's worth checking if anything else seems to trigger the flushes - some women find that spicy foods or sugary foods will affect them. Also, if you are stressed then flushes tend to come along more frequently, as adrenalin affects circulation.

Doing simple breathing exercises (e.g. counting to 3 on the in breath and another 3 on the out breath) several times a day can often help. If you feel a flush coming on, taking slow, deep breaths can stop it getting worse. Drink some water and give yourself a minute.

It's worth checking with your doctor that your thyroid is behaving properly, as a wobbly thyroid can cause flushes.

Food intolerances can too, so watching your diet is helpful.

Eileen Durward