Hot Flashes
Sudden feelings of heat, often in the face, neck, and chest, sometimes with sweating, flushing, and a rapid heartbeat. They are most common around menopause but can have other causes.
⚠ Seek medical attention if:
Hot flashes with unexplained weight loss, a new lump, drenching night sweats, fever, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat should be checked, as they can have causes other than menopause. Seek medical review for these.
Lifestyle factors
Warm environments, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, stress, and carrying excess weight can trigger or worsen them
Nutritional factors
Caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods can be triggers; some people find soy or flaxseed (plant oestrogens) helpful, though the evidence is mixed
Possible medical causes
Menopause and perimenopause, thyroid problems, certain medications including some cancer treatments, and, less commonly, other hormonal conditions
Next steps
See a GP if hot flashes are frequent, disrupt sleep or daily life, or occur outside the typical menopause context, as effective treatments are available.
Related nutrients (1)
Vitamin E has been studied for hot flashes with mixed and limited evidence
Food sources: Pumpkin seeds (~1.6 mg vitamin E per 30g serving), Spinach (cooked) (~3.7 mg vitamin E per cup cooked), Almonds (~7.3 mg vitamin E per 30g (one of the richest sources)), Brazil nuts (~1.6 mg vitamin E per 30g), Pine nuts (~2.7 mg per 30g), Sunflower seeds (~10 mg per 30g (excellent source)), Peanuts (~2.4 mg per 30g), Hazelnuts (~4.5 mg per 30g), Olive oil (~1.9 mg per tbsp), Avocado oil (~2 mg per tbsp), Sesame oil (~1.4 mg per tbsp), Avocado (~2 mg per 100g), Grapeseed oil (~3.9 mg per tbsp (rich source))
Related symptoms
Educational information only — not medical advice. This content does not diagnose, treat, or replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek professional medical advice for symptoms, supplement use, or health concerns.