Did you know that vasomotor symptoms, or VMS, are the most reported side effects that women go through during menopause? In fact, a staggering 80% of all menopausal women experience VMS, so knowing the signs and symptoms to look out for is essential for us all.
Like many of the women I work with, I’ve been experiencing bouts of hot flashes and night sweats. And like all menopause symptoms, this frustrating issue is caused by a change in hormones.
Are you one of the millions of women who are also struggling with vasomotor symptoms? If so, are you searching for a solution?
Well, you’re in the right place. In this post, I’ll be examining vasomotor symptoms in more detail, looking at what they are, why they happen, and what we can do to find relief.
What are Vasomotor Symptoms?
Vasomotor refers to the widening and contracting of blood vessels. The two main vasomotor symptoms are hot flashes and night sweats. However, there are more subtle symptoms, too, such as heart palpitations, an increased heart rate, flushing of the face, and a feeling of heat in the face, neck, or chest area.
Around 4 out of 5 American women experience VMS during their menopausal transition. For many of us, these symptoms are relatively mild and don’t interfere too much with our daily lives. But for some women I’ve worked with, they can be debilitating. Hot flashes can affect your ability to do your job, and night sweats can leave you chronically sleep-deprived and unable to function during the day.
Most women, including myself, first notice VMS in the early stages of perimenopause (the build-up to menopause.) During this time, hormones begin to fluctuate, and this sudden change can impact the body’s ability to control temperature.
As a result, we can find ourselves overheating, even in a cool room, and waking up in the middle of the night, dripping in sweat.
But while vasomotor symptoms can be alarming, it’s important to remember that they’re a very normal part of the menopausal process, and simply a sign that your body is going through an important change.
Everybody is different, but if your vasomotor symptoms are affecting your quality of life, talk to your doctor. There are several lifestyle changes and treatments that can help (more on this later.)
What Causes Vasomotor Symptoms?
As I mentioned earlier, vasomotor symptoms are caused by fluctuating hormones. These hormonal changes appear to have a direct effect on the way your body regulates its core temperature.
It’s thought that estrogen is the driving force behind VMS. Lower than usual levels of this reproductive hormone can cause your internal thermostat to become more sensitive to variations in temperature. However, the exact mechanisms that estrogen triggers to produce these symptoms still aren’t fully understood.
When your body detects a temperature rise, you begin to sweat, and your blood vessels automatically dilate. The enlarged vessels allow more blood to reach the surface of the skin so that you can cool down.
But during a hot flash, this response is falsely triggered. It can happen anywhere, any time, even in a cool room.
What do Vasomotor Symptoms Feel Like?
The two main vasomotor symptoms are hot flashes and night sweats.
During my hot flashes, I can be sitting comfortably one minute, and the next, I’m overheated, sweating heavily, and my face is flushed to a bright red color. These symptoms are fairly typical to most women I’ve worked with, too.
Most of the time, hot flash symptoms are located in the upper body, with the face, neck, and chest being the main affected areas. But some of us may also notice that our hearts begin to beat faster, and the fingers start to tingle.
Hot flashes come on suddenly and unexpectedly, and they can last anywhere between 30 seconds and 10 minutes.
Night sweats are the same phenomenon as a hot flash; the only difference is that they happen at night, and they can wake you from your sleep covered in sweat.
When Do Vasomotor Symptoms Start and End?
Ah, vasomotor symptoms, those hot flashes and night sweats that can disrupt your daily routine as well as sleep. Have you ever wondered when these fiery episodes decide to curse you with their presence?
Vasomotor symptoms typically show up during a period called perimenopause, which is the lead-up to menopause. Think of it as your body’s warm-up act before the grand finale of your ‘periods’ stopping altogether.
Perimenopause usually starts in your mid-to-late 40s, although some might meet it as early as their late 30s. You might experience hot flashes while your periods are still going strong, adding a whole new layer of fun to your monthly cycle.
Now, let’s talk about the exit strategy for these fiery symptoms. For most women, vasomotor symptoms are temporary companions. Studies suggest that around 80% of women experience these symptoms for two years or less.
That’s like a bad roommate who finally gets evicted!
But, as you know, life is unfair; the duration is not the same for everyone. For some women, vasomotor symptoms can become long-term visitors, lasting up to a decade or even longer. They might even decide to stick around after menopause itself has officially ended.
The truth is, there isn’t a particular time period for vasomotor symptoms to start and end. Each woman has their own experience of dealing with the symptoms, and it depends on various aspects such as health, lifestyle, menstrual cycles, underlying conditions, etc.
Some women experience mild hot flashes early on that linger for a while, while others might have intense episodes that thankfully disappear quickly.
Here are a few factors that can influence the duration of your vasomotor symptoms:
- Your weight: Research suggests that women who are overweight or obese might experience vasomotor symptoms for a longer period.
- Smoking: If you’re a smoker, brace yourself because studies show it can increase the intensity and duration of hot flashes.
If you’re dealing with vasomotor symptoms that are making your life miserable, don’t worry! There are ways to manage them. Talking to your doctor is the first step.
They can discuss treatment options like hormone therapy, lifestyle changes, and even certain medications. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. By understanding the why and when of vasomotor symptoms, you can take control and find relief.
My mother’s experience:
I remember the time when my mother started experiencing vasomotor symptoms, right around the time she turned 42. It felt completely out of the blue!
One minute, she was giving a presentation at work, and the next, a wave of heat washed over her. Her face flushed bright red, and she felt like she was standing under a heat lamp. Thankfully, the hot flash only lasted a few minutes, but it left her feeling sweaty and flustered.
Since then, the hot flashes became a regular occurrence for her, though thankfully not an everyday one. They used to strike at the most inconvenient times during a workout or in the middle of the night. She used to keep a mini fan and a cooling mist spray in her purse at all times, which helped to take the edge off.
How to Find Relief From Vasomotor Symptoms During Menopause?
If you’re anything like me, vasomotor symptoms can interfere with your life. In some cases, they can even make it difficult to function normally.
Whatever the severity of your VMS, you’re probably looking for a way to find relief.
I’ve also been on the same mission, and through my research, I’ve found a variety of lifestyle changes and things to try at home which can help.
1. Drink Cold Water
When I feel a hot flash start to rise, I take a sip of ice-cold water. Sometimes, this alone can stop it in its tracks. Even if it doesn’t eliminate the hot flash entirely, it still seems to reduce its length and severity.
Try keeping a glass of ice water by your desk at work, or carry a thermos-insulated flask that can keep water cold all day long.
2. Wear Loose Clothing in Layers
Wearing layers means you can quickly shed one in a warm room or when a hot flash begins to rise.
Since I’ve started wearing looser clothing, my sweating has been kept to a minimum and I’m able to maintain a cooler body temperature.
3. Take a Cold Shower
Of course, it’s not always possible to take a cold shower when you feel the onset of a hot flash, but when it happens at home, the cold water can quickly cool down your core temperature and stop a hot flash from getting worse.
I like taking cold showers before I go to bed, as this helps to keep my body cool and avoid night sweats.
4. Keep the Room Cool
Hot flashes and night sweats tend to be much worse if the environment is already warm. So, where possible, keep the thermostat low. Like me, you might also want to consider using a fan in the office or the bedroom to keep the air circulating.
5. Avoid Alcohol, Nicotine, and Caffeine
These substances can trigger hot flashes and make them worse. Even a small cup of coffee in the morning can lead to more frequent and severe hot flashes, and drinking alcohol before you go to bed can increase the likelihood of night sweats.
Since I’ve given up caffeine, I’ve noticed a definite improvement in my VMS.
6. Lose Weight
Menopausal women who are obese or overweight suffer from more severe vasomotor symptoms than women with a healthy body mass index. So, if you could do with losing a few lbs, there’s no better time to try than during menopause.
Many other classic menopause symptoms, such as insomnia, mood swings, and hair loss, can also be improved by getting down to a healthy weight.
What Medical Treatments Are Available for Vasomotor Symptoms?
If the tips and lifestyle changes above don’t help you find relief from VMS, consider speaking to your doctor. Certain prescription-only treatments are available that can help to reduce the severity of vasomotor symptoms during menopause.
1. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
The most commonly prescribed treatment plan for symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Many of my patients say that HRT not only reduces the frequency and severity of their vasomotor symptoms, but it also helps to alleviate menopause rage and mood swings, boost their libido, and improve their energy levels.
Talk to your doctor before deciding on this type of treatment plan. They can assess your medical history and help you make an informed decision.
2. Non-Hormonal Medication
Certain medications which are used to treat depression and epilepsy can also help to alleviate vasomotor symptoms. Examples include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and gabapentin. However, these medications also carry risks of side effects and aren’t meant to be a long-term solution.
3. Natural Remedies
Certain plants and supplements have been shown to help reduce hot flashes and night sweats if you prefer to take a more natural approach. My favorites are black cohosh, red clover, flaxseed, and soy-based foods or supplements. These work by providing the body with phytoestrogens, which mimic the role of natural estrogen.
What are Some other Causes of Vasomotor Symptoms?
If you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s and you’re experiencing hot flashes and night sweats, chances are you’re experiencing a normal side effect of menopause.
However, in some rarer instances, these vasomotor symptoms can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as:
- Infection
- Thyroid issues
- Low blood sugar
- Anxiety
- Hyperhidrosis
- A side effect of certain medications, such as antidepressants and hormone-blocking drugs
- Certain types of cancer
What are examples of vasomotor symptoms?
Vasomotor symptoms, the side effects of menopause, bring a range of unpleasant experiences. Some of the most common concerns are:
- Hot flashes: Hot flashes are a very common example of vasomotor symptoms and affect almost all women going through menopause. They come on suddenly, causing a surge of heat that typically starts in your upper body, particularly your face, neck, and chest. Your skin might flush bright red, and you might break out in a sweat. It can last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes, leaving you feeling chilled and clammy once it lessens.
- Night sweats: Think hot flashes but with a nighttime twist. Night sweats are basically intense sweating episodes that can drench your clothes and bedding, often disrupting your sleep. Waking up in a puddle of sweat isn’t exactly how you want to start your day, so it’s no surprise these can be quite disruptive.
- Chills: While it might seem counterintuitive, chills can also be a symptom of vasomotor symptoms. This happens because your body overcompensates for the feeling of heat during a hot flash, leading to a sudden drop in temperature and chills. It’s like your internal functions can’t quite seem to find the happy medium.
- Chills: While it might seem counterintuitive, chills can also be a symptom of vasomotor symptoms. This happens because your body overcompensates for the feeling of heat during a hot flash, leading to a sudden drop in temperature and chills. It’s like your internal functions can’t quite seem to find the happy medium.
- Heart palpitations: This one can be a bit scary. During a hot flash, your heart rate might increase, causing a fluttering or racing sensation in your chest. Thankfully, these are usually harmless and decrease along with the hot flash itself.
If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing vasomotor symptoms, talking to your doctor is always the best course of action.
I remember one particularly intense hot flash that hit me during a crowded movie theater. I felt like I was radiating heat, and I could practically hear the confused murmurs from the people around me! Thankfully, the darkness hid my beet-red face.
FAQs
Most women tend to notice hot flashes and night sweats in their mid to late 40s. This is typically when perimenopause begins. However, some people start perimenopause and notice VMS in their early 40s or even their late 30s.
Research suggests that most women experience VMS for around seven years. However, some women I’ve worked with have struggled with hot flashes and night sweats for longer, even after they officially reach menopause.
Women of African descent tend to experience more frequent and severe vasomotor symptoms.
Vasomotor symptoms can come seemingly out of nowhere. However, there are some common triggers, including hot weather, stress, alcohol, nicotine, spicy food, and caffeine.
While vasomotor symptoms can be uncomfortable and disruptive, they’re generally not a cause for major concern. However, if you experience any of the following alongside your hot flashes, it’s important to see your doctor to rule out any underlying conditions:
• Chest pain or tightness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe or prolonged hot flashes
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict when these episodes will start or end. It can vary widely! Some women experience them early in perimenopause, even before their periods stop, while others might not encounter them until after menopause. The duration is unpredictable. Some women experience them for a short while, and others for years.
If you’re experiencing hot flashes, night sweats, chills, or heart palpitations, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if these are vasomotor symptoms or something else. Your doctor can help you find ways to manage these symptoms.
Conclusion
Vasomotor symptoms are the most commonly reported symptom of menopause, and the majority of menopausal women will experience them as they go through this transitional time.
VMS can range from mild and manageable to overwhelming and intense. If you’re suffering from frequent and bothersome hot flashes and night sweats, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. They can assess your symptoms, rule out any underlying causes, and help you find a treatment plan that works for you.
