Have others noticed their hot flashes can be triggered by very small stresses such as a thought that you have forgotten something quite minor? A sudden thought - the ones where, for example, you might notice that you’ve told a tiny white lie; or you think of a task you meant to do but have forgotten or put aside...suddenly you’re glowing and sweating all over.
These tiny stresses resulting in huge hot flushes have made me realise just how sensitive our bodies are to stress hormones and they’re hardly registering as stressful. Which makes me wonder about times in my life that have been massively stressful and the effect that must have had on my body. What are your thoughts? Have you also found stress to be connected to your hot flashes?
- Helen
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Cat6 years ago
Absolutely! I suffered from adenomyosis and endo and any time I was stressed the pain would intensify. And now it shows up with hot flashes. But I suffer them with or without stress. Menopause is like PMS on steroids
Anonymous6 years ago
Totally agree, first I get a tingle, prickly sensation then the hot flush comes. It can be over what I would normally consider nothing but right now even nothing sets them off.
Bexy6 years ago
Totally agree Helen, mine can triggered by the smallest thing.
Anonymous6 years ago
Yes this happens it to me!
Anonymous6 years ago
Yes totally agree and this is especially through the night or in the morning around breakfast. The slightest worry sets it’s off. After that I don’t suffer quite so much from hot flushes thank goodness.
Terri6 years ago
Yes. I find anything no matter how I signiucan trigger them
Carolyn6 years ago
I’m the same!
Karen6 years ago
Definitely happens to me for tiny stresses that I don’t even know are stresses!
Ellie6 years ago
To be honest, l have never thought the ? flushes was related to stress at all! Definitely learnt something new, l think l will start to monitor my hot flushes and see what triggers them. However in the middle of the night or very early in the morning say around 2am when suddenly I wake up having ?flushes l don’t think that could be stress. Anyone else find they are waking up having hot flushes in the early mornings ? On with the duvet off with the duvet!! ?
Anonymous6 years ago
Yep, any time is a good time for hot flashes (and night sweats) but I do wonder if even the middle of the night moments are triggered by subconscious stress and worries!
Gorda6 years ago
Yes, same here...hot flushes early in the morning while in bed, like you say “duvet on, duvet off...”. And if I’m worried/stressed it’s the same.?
Lea6 years ago
Middle of the night hot flushes happened to me recently. Waking up with night sweats... I wonder how to resolve this so I can have a better night sleep ?.
Elliereplying to Lea6 years ago
Hi Lea Still trying to find a solution ? the worse thing is l struggle to get back to sleep ?
Chiireplying to Ellie6 years ago
I have the same problem,I’ve always struggled with falling asleep , my trick is to count backwards , although I focus on counting backwards properly sometimes and finding myself laughing but it’s works for me.
Anonymousreplying to Ellie6 years ago
A nightstand fan seems to help.
Andyreplying to Ellie6 years ago
Hi Ellie, have you tried the 'night sweats' audio on this app? I use it at times and it might help you
Elliereplying to Andy6 years ago
Hi Andy No l haven’t tried it but will give it a go and see if it helps ??
Chiireplying to Lea6 years ago
Air conditioning
Nikki6 years ago
Hi I suffer most my hot flushes at night, do you find that after the ’flush’ you are extremely cold??
Janreplying to Nikki6 years ago
Before I went on HRT I would become extremely cold then the hot flush would follow. Have to agree that a little stress triggered my flashes. I just needed to think of a situation that irritated me and I would feel the flush coming on.
Chiireplying to Jan6 years ago
Hi, I am thinking on going on HRT, because I have palpitation with my hot flushes and I dread going out , I had a hysterectomy which meant I went into full blown menopausal symptoms without the taster sessions. Did all the symptoms stop when you started the HRT?
Anonymousreplying to Chii4 years ago
I started HRT 3 weeks ago…total game changer..it has completely resolved all of my symptoms… I feel 25 again. No more hot flushes…sleep like a baby every night… no more anxiety/depression… hair and skin look great. I would highly recommend HRT, but suggest the Bio-identical ones, not the horse urine ones!
Michelereplying to Anonymous3 years ago
If you don’t mind me asking, what hormones are you on? Just estradiol? Or testosterone and progesterone too? I ask because one doctor I have said that estradiol is all I need. Well another doctor, my homeopathic doctor, said I need all three hormones because all my hormones are low.
Elliereplying to Nikki6 years ago
Hi Nikki Yes definitely, that’s when the duvet comes back on before l have to launch it off again?
Elliereplying to Nikki6 years ago
Yep!! Duvet is back on shorty afterwards ?
Anonymousreplying to Nikki6 years ago
I have noticed that I am cold sometimes after a hot flash.
Lisareplying to Nikki4 years ago
I find that too or just generally it’s a fluctuation so sometimes particularly cold or hard to stay warm, even if no hot flush. Which I could be due in part to wearing fewer layers as a way to manage the hot flushes. Am finding natural fibres help
Chii6 years ago
Indeed I wake up 3 times at the minimum every night even with the fan at full blast. The only nights I sleep through the night is when I have the air conditioner on but my poor husband has to sleep with 4 layers on, so I don’t use it that often.
Nat6 years ago
Yes same 2 I have hot flushes
Anonymous6 years ago
Sadly yes! It drives me mad! When I was taking HRT the hot flushes disappeared and it was wonderful sleeping through but then I had to come off it due to one thing and another and they returned immediately! I was advised to try Sage tablets and initially they worked for about 3 months which was great but now nothing seems to help! I’m constantly looking for a miracle cure! ?
Anonymousreplying to Anonymous4 years ago
I would suggest your “ miracle cure” I’d going to be finding an educated/experienced OBGYN ?
Keri6 years ago
Yes 2am clubber here too! I generally do deep breathing exercises while counting it helps my brain focus on something else if it is stress related and or stop thinking about to do list. The Insight Time app has some great music deep sleep tracks that have helped. Not ? % yet but finding tools to help there.
Jan6 years ago
I find as soon as I have one, I worry I’m going to have a second and then I do. It’s self perpetuating. Another trigger is if I feel hot, so it continues. Days I don’t have to be up with a alarm, keep inside if it’s hot outside and have plenty of cold drinks help, but realistically that’s not possible most days. I’m 59 and had a hysterectomy and oophorectory when I was 36. Initially I was put on HRT tablets that worked well, but once I past 50 my GP felt it was too much of a risk for me to continue. For 8 years I tried to cope with herbalist support, diet, relaxation and breathing exercises. Some days it helped but not everyday and some days very little. I have been back on HRT for 11 months but this time it’s on the patches. Thay do help so now it’s 6 or 7 moments a day if it’s a good, if not more like 16 or 17. When I asked my GP how long I might have menopausal symptoms he said a lot is down to genes (my mum was 53 when her symptoms finished), but he had a few ladies who still have flushes in their 80s.
Anonymous6 years ago
100% agree. I’ve always suffered from anxiety but it wasn’t until peri menopausal that it would drench me in the worst sweats. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to realize that and now, being post menopausal, I’m sill suffering from terrible, anxiety caused, hot flashes. Some days I’m able to ease it a little bit but most often, the anxiety just overwhelms me, out of nowhere, and the water starts running. And the hot flashes are causing more anxiety, and next thing you know, I’m wet all over and deeply ashamed if out in public. It’s been 4 years now, that these hot flashes took control over my life, joy & self confidence. I can’t wait for the day my body finds its peace and the flashes end.
Heidi6 years ago
Same. It doesn’t always have to be a negative thought or stress for me - sometimes it’s excitement. Also, my night time hot flashes happen after I’m awake, within seconds, and so I don’t believe they are causing me to wake up. I toss & turn a lot and sometimes I wake & begin a hot flash.
Lynnette6 years ago
Those night time hot flushes are so uncomfortable and usually followed by a cold flash. I wake 2-4 times a night and it happens each time. I just entered surgical menopause 3 weeks ago so I’m still searching for answers and coping skills.
Amp6 years ago
Stress thoughts and rushing moments are definitely triggers for me - I now remind myself to breathe instead of stressing and to glide when I am tempted to rush! It may not stop the hot flash but helps to distract me. I like to think that when I am about to rush my reminder helps to avoid one altogether.
Sharon6 years ago
I agree that stress sets them off, mine are usually at work if I’m a bit out of my comfort zone. I have tried the breathing technique, I think I learnt it from here, where you breathe in for 4, hold for 6 and out for 7. I may have the numbers wrong but it’s that sort of ratio. It’s calming and helps them to subside quicker. Also just letting the flushes pass helps, as worrying brings on another.
Anonymous6 years ago
Any small stress will trigger them when I’m having a bad bout. They come in bouts.
Anonymous6 years ago
Once I read this post I realized that this is happening. I have rosacea and any stressful situation has made me flush and turn red since I was 23. Now I have the hot flashes to go with it. Menopause has also made me insulin resistant, so I get hot flashes post prandial as well.
Jojo6 years ago
I’ve recently noticed my hot flushes also happen when I have chiropractor treatment, particularly when she treats the arches of my feet!
Claire6 years ago
I’ve started to notice more hot flushes when am doing our daily life things that I’ve done before we’re easier but now even the same things I used to I find a big struggle silly little tasks like shopping is a big stress factor for me and at times I try to put of shopping when my mood is low that’s when I know my hot flushes start.I sleep for 3 hours at night only so day time is a real big struggle as my hot flushes are worse
Claire6 years ago
Definitely any stress definitely starts hot flushes which lasts mins or even longer which I need to take myself into a quiet room then relax as I do this my sweats start to slowly cool from my body’
Elizabeth6 years ago
I get mine laying down to go to sleep in the middle of the night for no reason and when I first sit up after sleeping. Then the day ones which are random except the expected really hot one at 9.00 every night. They slowed a little but have come back again After 18 years I thought they may just die down to very little but it’s not the case
Cat6 years ago
Yes I definitely noticed the OTT stress response. At least that’s how I saw it. I hated it when I was super busy but now I see it as a red light on the dashboard. I pause for a minute and think... why am I stressed by that text from X - before I’ve even read it ? Why am I anticipating trouble way more often than it shows up? How can I change that? I like you’re reframing... that in fact we have been doing that to ourselves
Anonymous6 years ago
Yes! I thought it was just me. As I also suffer with menopausal anxiety. As soon as I’m in a really uncomfortable situation I feel a hot flush come on. Mine were really bad so I’m now happily on HRT
Caroline6 years ago
I find that I’m scared to get into bed at night, I feel as soon as I do I will get an overwhelming sense of stress about having a flush immediately as soon as I lay down. Sometimes they can continue throughout the night . I have a large fan at my bedside, and as soon as I feel it coming on I turn it on . Then as soon as it passes I have to turn the fan off as I start to feel cold all over like a chill. It’s a strange time in our lives . It just feels surreal that I’ve arrived here ?
Angela6 years ago
Like someone else said, I think waking in the night triggers my night sweats, rather than night sweat waking me up. I assume this is because it’s a physically stressful moment for your body. The meditation on this app has taught me that you can influence their length by taking a couple of really deep breaths in and out. That one thing has helped my calm acceptance of night sweats in the moment and consequently improved the quality of my sleep. Thanks!!!
Pm6 years ago
I have hot flashes at work and night sweating l am 62 had a historectmy at 45 so why do I still have
Theresa6 years ago
Theresa even begin frustrated with a frustration. i have noticed hot flashes. Today i was simply gardening and all of a sudden I began to warm up inside and hotside. iI sat down and got a popicle to help me.
Lindau6 years ago
I have never noticed a trigger. It all seems very random. I do feel cold after but attribute that to all the sweat evaporating.
Chii6 years ago
Yes I have. Just sitting at the computer to print out my daughter’s homeschooling work during the lockdown triggered the hot sweats as I call them.
Tonia6 years ago
Hi Helen, I have been tracking my flashes for nearly 4 months and I can say this is true for me. I also noticed weather changes triggers my flash than I settle into some sense of normalcy ( no flashing or symptoms). Honestly it has been a very confusing period to try to understand what are my triggers.
Catherine6 years ago
Hi Helen, Yes, I have found this too, but just like some of the other comments, I’m not sure why I get flashes or sweats while I sleep? Just one of those things I guess? I try not to dwell on it. I just breathe through the daytime ones and fan the duvet at night for the sweats.
Cat6 years ago
My hot flashes directly tie in with my menstrual cycle and have never been stress related.
Anonymous6 years ago
Yes our emotions can bring on flushes. Stress, anxiety and hot drinks! Lots of things you would never of thought can bring in flushes and usually when you least want one!
Anonymous6 years ago
Yes! Stress and anxiety trigger hot flashes. The thought of having another hot flash creates anxiety and around I go. I try breathing techniques and meditation when possible to get out of the loop. There are also times a hot flash comes out of nowhere, but I know stressors could be weighing my subconscious mind. Thus far, I’d say hot flashes are the most frequent, daily symptom of the change followed by headaches and mood swings. I’m 45, almost to that 12th consecutive absent period, and finding the closer to that mark the more symptoms arise.
Clare6 years ago
I don’t suffer from them in the same way others describe but I am always super hot when getting ready in the morning and definitely go hot in the way you describe such as suddenly remembering something or if I can’t find something.
Warty6 years ago
Before HRT I was hot continually to the touch. I’d wear vest tops and dingle layers of clothing. I felt sticky all the time. Then when I took HRT I became quite cold and the warmth disappeared completely. I’ve just recently had a night flush return in the early morning and I am very anxious too. Doctor asked if I wanted to come off HRT - why would I want to do that?!
Rosans6 years ago
If I change position in bed the flushes or night sweat starts, it's so weird, sometimes I am in a deep sleep and wake up drenched, I just wonder why at night and when you are sleeping as this is the time you are most relaxed.
Keri6 years ago
Over the past week or two I’ve noticed hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia all of the sudden, out of no where consistent day and night! I was like what the eff and then it dawned on me you just had a birthday and welcome to 48 ? so now I’m looking at different remedies and what to do.
Anonymous4 years ago
Yes, completely understand your thoughts and experience. A relatively small stressful experience can trigger hot flashes.
Juice4 years ago
Yes, when a worry springs to mind it triggers a hot flush. It didn’t used to but now I’m on tamoxifen, messing up my hormones, the menopause symptoms are worse
Anonymous4 years ago
I’m sure Stress Brings on my Hot Flashes. Having 4 kids and 6 grandchildren, there is Always STRESS, LOL ?. Hot Showers, which I Love Triggers my Hot ? Flashes.
Jillian4 years ago
I really like the idea of CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) to teach my brain to view a hot flash more positively. The reason I think it may help, is bc every time I feel a hot flash coming on, my anxiety increases (bc I know what is coming) especially if I’m in public. If I somehow can change my view of hot flashes to be a positive process, maybe a detoxifying process or something similar, than maybe I can decrease my anxiety and therefore have a calmer flash. Crossing my fingers this works, and I will update everyone if so! Like Goop says on their perimenopause podcast (search Spotify), menopause needs to be rebranded. It’s due time! This is not the end of anything for us, it’s the beginning of a new chapter of our lives. No longer needing to sacrifice our lives to care for others, and we can now focus on ourselves more. Who doesn’t love that?!
Lisa4 years ago
I thought the same thing today, that just the slightest negative or stressful thought brings it on. I feel a low level anxiety a lot of the time so it’s just trying to keep it all in check. I also notice I feel cold more too, so trying to find that balance of temperature can be hard. Constantly put things on and off!
Taia4 years ago
I’m a lover of my morning coffee, but I have learned that I’m good with one cup of coffee in the morning with my supplements and water and certain things that I eat, like things that have too much potassium can trigger. I’m just grateful that spicy stuff doesn’t trigger my issues because I love Mexican food and I put cayenne pepper in my coffee and I take cayenne pepper pills for my blood issues!!
Gail2 years ago
Stresses, big or small, are definitely one of my main triggers. But I also get hot flashes out of the blue for no reason at all. And multiple night sweats. Another weird thing is I almost always have a strong need to urinate whenever I get a hot flash! And all of this has been going on for 11 years now, since I was 54.
Anonymous1 year ago
Yes, very much so.