Women's Hormone Health · Kingwood, The Woodlands & New Caney
Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
A sudden wave of heat, a flushed face, soaked sheets at 3 a.m. Hot flashes and night sweats are the most common menopause symptoms, and they are treatable.
Why it happens
What causes hot flashes
Falling estrogen affects the part of the brain that controls body temperature. Your internal thermostat becomes more sensitive, so small changes trigger a rush of heat, sweating and a faster heartbeat. At night, the same thing happens as night sweats, which often wreck sleep.
Hot flashes last about seven years on average and longer for some women.
Common signs
- Sudden heat in the face, neck and chest
- Flushing and sweating
- Rapid heartbeat during a flash
- Chills afterward
- Waking up drenched at night
What can help
Ways to feel better
Everyday steps
- Dress in layers and keep the bedroom cool
- Limit alcohol, caffeine and spicy food if they trigger flashes
- Keep a fan by the bed
- Regular exercise and a healthy weight
See a doctor sooner if
- Flashes disrupt your sleep or work
- You also have fever or unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats started before any cycle changes
- Symptoms began after a new medication
Treatment options
Hormone therapy for hot flashes
Estrogen therapy is considered the most effective treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. For many healthy women under 60 or within about 10 years of menopause, the benefits generally outweigh the risks. Non-hormonal options are available for women who cannot take estrogen.
When symptoms are driven by falling or fluctuating estrogen and progesterone, hormone replacement therapy for women may help. Options include bioidentical estradiol, progesterone and, for some women, low-dose testosterone, delivered as creams, patches, pills or EvexiPEL hormone pellets. Women who still have a uterus need progesterone along with estrogen.
We treat hot flashes and night sweats for patients from Kingwood, The Woodlands, Porter, Humble and across the Lake Houston area at our New Caney office. Your first visit starts with lab work and a real conversation about your symptoms.
Questions
Common questions
How fast does HRT help hot flashes?
Many women notice fewer and milder hot flashes within a few weeks, with fuller relief over two to three months.
Can night sweats be caused by something other than menopause?
Yes. Infections, thyroid problems, some medications and other conditions can cause night sweats, which is why we review your full history and labs.