Post menopause & Hot Flushes
Officially, you’re considered post-menopausal after one year without a period. In practice, many experts, including us, tend to say two years. That’s because some women can still have the occasional period between year one and year two.
Many women assume that once menopause is over, all symptoms disappear. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case and many symptoms, like hot flushes, can take a while to ease. Let’s explore why your hot flushes and night sweats might continue—or suddenly come back.
1. Hormone Fluctuations
Just because you’re post-menopause doesn’t mean your hormones stop working overnight. A small amount of hormones can still be produced for years after your periods have finished, and levels of these can fluctuate. Even subtle hormonal changes can be enough to trigger hot flushes and night sweats.
2. Lifestyle Factors
Simple lifestyle habits can have a big impact on flushing and night sweats. Common triggers include:
- Caffeine – Often the biggest culprit.
- Alcohol and spicy foods – Can trigger or worsen symptoms.
- Stress – Mental strain can exacerbate hot flushes.
- Warm environments – A sudden change in temperature, like stepping into a heated supermarket on a cold day, can bring on a flush.
- Dehydration – Not drinking enough water makes your nervous system more reactive, triggering sweats.
3. Weight and Metabolism
As we age, our metabolism slows down and weight gain is common. Fat tissue can store the oestrogen your body still produces, and when released, this can create sudden waves of hormonal activity—triggering hot flushes.
4. Physical and Psychological Factors
Poor sleep, fatigue, stress, anxiety, and panic attacks can all trigger hot flushes and night sweats. Sometimes it’s not hormones—it’s how your body and mind are coping overall.
What If Hot Flushes Come Back Years Later?
If you’ve been free of hot flushes and night sweats for years and they suddenly return, it’s unlikely to be hormonal. There are several other possibilities:
- Medical issues – In post-menopause, thyroid problems, heart disease, or diabetes can appear and trigger hot flushes.
- Medication – Check the side effects of any medications you’re taking.
- Circulation or blood pressure – Weakened blood vessels or high blood pressure can cause flushing.
- Vitamin or mineral deficiencies – Low vitamin D or B12 can lead to night sweats, particularly if they’re severe and you’re experiencing drenching from the neck up.
| Important: If your flushes return after being absent, see your GP. Don’t just assume your hormonal activity has restarted. And ask your GP to check for these possible issues. Many women are prescribed HRT without checking for other underlying causes, and conditions like vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, or heart disease need proper attention first. |
Practical Steps to Reduce Hot Flushes
Even if hot flushes continue, there are steps you can take to reduce their impact:
- Identify your Triggers – Try keeping a simple diary for a couple of weeks, jotting down what you eat, drink, and when your hot flushes or night sweats occur. Often, tiny changes can make a big difference. For example, I had one lady who simply gave up her after-dinner coffee—and her night sweats stopped completely.
- Reduce Stress – Practising mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing, or other relaxation techniques can help lower the frequency of hot flushes. Deep breathing, in particular, can also ease a hot flush in the moment, helping you feel calmer and more in control.
- Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water to keep your nervous system balanced. Dehydration will make your nervous system much more jumpy, much more reactive, and that in itself can trigger your hot flush or your night sweats.
- Try Herbal Support – Herbs such as sage have been shown to help ease hot flushes and night sweats. Our registered Menoforce Sage tablets are a simple, one-a-day option, making it easy to incorporate this natural support into your routine.
A.Vogel Menoforce Sage Tablets for Menopausal Hot Flushes and Night Sweats, One-a-Day, 30 tablets
£15.99 (30 tablets) In Stock Get it tomorrow, 14th January.
Hot flushes after menopause are common, but understanding the causes and triggers can help you manage them more effectively.
If you’ve experienced returning hot flushes, what helped you? Was it a vitamin deficiency, lifestyle change, or something else? Share your experiences—we’d love to hear your stories!
Other articles that may interest you:
Signs your post-menopause symptoms are not hormonal
How long do post-menopause symptoms last?
Staying healthy post-menopause: My tips and simple strategies
