Why Would Hormones Make My Hot Flashes Worse?

Hot flashes are episodes when you experience the sensation that your body feels like it's burning. Sweating is often associated with these episodes. They are caused by hormone shifts affecting the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature.

Mechanism

• The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates temperature as well as the production of many of your hormones. Lower estrogen levels somehow cause the hypothalamus to believe the body is too hot, prompting it to increase skin temperature and induce sweating in an effort to lower the core temperature.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Taking estrogen, whether synthesized or bioidentical, is commonly held as the best treatment for hot flashes.

Breast Cancer as a Factor

• If you have breast cancer or are at high risk, your doctor may have prescribed Tomaxifen, which blocks your ability to use estrogen. This can cause some people to experience hot flashes for the duration of their treatment.

Length of Therapy

• If you have just begun hormone replacement therapy, your body may be in the process of regulating the levels. There may be a temporary increase in symptoms.

Conclusion

• If your symptoms do not improve after a week or more of hormone therapy, see your health care provider. The prescribed dosage may need to be adjusted to your specific needs.