Hot flushes can impact your everyday life, but there are ways to cope
As your estrogen levels decline, hot flushes can become more likely. There are a range of ways to manage the symptoms. We explain how HRT, non-hormonal medications and lifestyle changes can make a difference.
Reviewed by: Tanisha Malhi-James, Digital Pharmacist
Published: October 2025
Next review: October 2028
Hot flushes cause a sudden feeling of heat spreading from the face, neck and chest. When they happen, you may find it difficult to sleep, feel dizzy or weak.
Although they can vary in length and intensity, on average, women have hot flushes that last between 3 and 4 minutes and can occur daily.
If your hot flushes happen during the night, they are called night sweats.
Menopause changes the way your body regulates its temperature. Before your estrogen levels begin to drop, your body temperature changes in line with your internal body clock (circadian rhythm). This helps your body cool down during the night in preparation for sleep.
The changes to your estrogen levels during menopause affect your temperature control, so you may notice that you feel uncomfortably hot during the night.
Your lifestyle choices may also contribute to how often you experience night sweats. Drinking alcohol or caffeine, smoking, and stress can all worsen your body’s ability to manage its temperature.
Yes, night sweats can make it harder to sleep. Not getting enough sleep can affect your mood as well as your ability to work, socialise and maintain your relationships.
If your night sweats are impacting your sleep quality, there’s help available. You can speak to your GP or pharmacist about improving your sleep hygiene (the routine you build to help you fall asleep and improve your sleep quality). They may also suggest a type of talking therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This can be done in person or online, but it is designed to help you find relaxation techniques and approaches to help you sleep better.
HRT helps to replenish your estrogen and progesterone levels. Because hot flushes are linked to reduced estrogen production, replacing it can help stop them.
If you’re interested in starting HRT, you should speak to our GP about it. They can discuss the advantages it can have for managing your menopause symptoms with you.
If hot flushes or night sweats are disrupting your everyday life, there are ways you can cope.
Using HRT is not for everyone, and there are non-hormonal approaches you can take to help reduce the impact of hot flushes.
Antidepressants
Using antidepressants like citalopram or venlafaxine can help reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flushes. They are typically prescribed at low doses for women who cannot or don’t want to use HRT.
Although they may be effective in addressing hot flushes, they cannot help reduce other menopause symptoms because they don’t increase your estrogen levels.
Clonidine
Your GP might suggest clonidine if you can’t or don’t want to use HRT. It can take between 2 and 4 weeks before you start to feel the effects of the medication.
If you want to stop taking clonidine, you must let your doctor know. Because it works by widening your blood vessels, stopping suddenly can cause your blood pressure to rapidly increase. Your GP can advise you on the best approach to stopping.
Elinzanetant
Elinzanetant is a non-hormonal medication that helps to trigger your brain better control your body’s temperature. It comes in tablet form and should be taken once a day.
Lifestyle changes can help you manage your hot flushes. You can try:
- Wearing loose, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen
- Exercising regularly, but not before you go to bed
- Having cool showers
- Maintaining a cool temperature in your bedroom