According to research around 85% of women will experience regular hot flushes (also sometimes referred to as hot flashes) during the menopause [1]. Although they are uncomfortable and inconvenient, they’re not dangerous – just an unfortunate symptom of a physiological process.

In this article we’re going to look at the research around hot flushes and see if there is anything we can do to help control them naturally.

We understand the physiological mechanisms that create a hot flush. Research tells us that ‘Postmenopausal hot flushes occur due to a reduction in oestrogen production causing thermoregulatory and vascular dysfunction’. [2] 

In English this means that as the female sex hormone (oestrogen) levels reduce post-menopause, the body struggles to control temperature and circulation. This leads to occasional episodes where the body temperature rises and the blood rushes to the skin surface, leaving the person feeling hot and flustered.

The core temperature also rises during the hot flush, but there is little or no build up or warning, hence the sudden onset of them. There’s a build-up of chemical compounds ahead of the flush, but never any heat. [3]

The same research also noted that the flush is ‘treated’ successfully by dabbing the cheeks with cold water compresses.

As with most health issues, there are lifestyle factors that underpin the severity and frequency of the problem. Research suggests that usual lifestyle factors such as obesity and smoking will see occurrence of hot flushes rise. [4]

The findings of these studies are echoed in further studies on the role of lifestyle factors and hot flushes.

One meta-study on the role of obesity and smoking on the severity and frequency of hot flushes concluded that both contributed significantly, with a dose-response curve indicating that they compounded one another. This means that individual smoking increased the risk, and being obese increased the risk, but if you were an obese smoker the risk was enhanced even further. [5] The research concluded however that stopping smoking before age 40 reduced the risk to the same level of those women who had never smoked in their lives. This data is collected from 8 studies involving 21,460 women.

What we can conclude from this information is that whilst being fit and a healthy weight doesn’t remove the risk of a hot flush altogether, it certainly reduces their frequency and severity.

There is a lot of evidence that infrared clothing helps to maintain body temperature. With the KYMIRA^® KYnergy^® fabrics, part of the thermoregulation approach is how the body helps to control local circulation.

By controlling the circulation, the KYnergy^® infrared fabric allows excess heat to dissipate more easily through the skin. Although it isn’t ‘instantly cooling’, it helps to manage and regulate temperature more smoothly than non-infrared fabrics.

When paired with a cold compress for the face, it’ll help sufferers of hot flushes keep them under a level of control.

Based on the research we’ve highlighted today, there are a few simple strategies women can adopt in order to help control the frequency and intensity of hot flushes. They’re all achievable and are evidence-based in their effectiveness.

Follow these strategies and you’ll be able to manage your hot flushes more effectively…

Exercise

Regular exercise has been shown to help us manage and control our temperature. Research shows that a high level of aerobic fitness (stamina) helps us to control our temperature, so a regular exercise habit will be effective in thermoregulation [6].

A weekly 3-5 exercise sessions per week should be sufficient to help keep temperature under a good level of control.

Body fat levels

We know with certainty that obesity will impact the frequency and severity of hot flushes. Beyond that though, it also ensures we maintain a higher temperature for longer. Fat has insulating properties, making it more difficult for the body to cool down post exercise [7].

Reaching or maintaining a healthy level of body fat will help with maintaining a manageable temperature.

Stopping smoking

Smoking affects circulation, which then in turn reduces our ability to cool ourselves. By stopping smoking we promote circulation, which helps us to cool ourselves more effectively.

Where to find KYMIRA^® Medical products?

There are a wide range of products in the KYMIRA^® range, each with a multitude of uses. You can take a look at the range here: KYMIRA Medial Women’s Products