Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause for many women. However, they are also a common side effect of breast cancer treatment.

Understanding the connection between hot flashes and breast cancer is important for women who are undergoing treatment for the disease or have previously been treated.

What Are Hot Flashes?

A hot flash is sudden, intense heat that can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. The experience of a hot flash can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include:.

Hot or cold sweats
Flushing of the skin
Rapid heartbeat
Headache
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Nausea
Anxiety

Hot flashes can happen at any time throughout the day and night, and their frequency and severity can vary.

Hot Flashes and Menopause

Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause, which is the natural decline of reproductive hormones in women. Menopause typically begins in a woman’s 40s or 50s.

Before menopause, the ovaries produce many of the hormones—including estrogen and progesterone—that control a woman’s menstrual cycle.

During perimenopause, which is the transition to menopause, the ovaries start to produce less estrogen and progesterone.

These hormonal changes can result in frequent hot flashes and other symptoms such as mood swings, vaginal dryness, and loss of sleep.

Hot Flashes and Breast Cancer

For women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, hot flashes can be a side effect of treatment. Treatment for breast cancer often involves medications called hormone therapy.

These medications work by blocking the body’s production of estrogen, which can slow down or stop the growth of breast cancer cells.

Hot flashes are a common side effect of hormone therapy. In fact, some women who are not yet menopausal may experience menopause-like symptoms, including hot flashes, as a result of hormone-blocking treatment.

In addition to hormone therapy, treatments for breast cancer such as chemotherapy and surgery can also cause hot flashes. Chemotherapy can disrupt the hormonal balance in the body and cause symptoms similar to those experienced during menopause.

Surgery, especially when the ovaries are removed, can trigger menopause-like symptoms as well.

Managing Hot Flashes and Breast Cancer

Hot flashes can be uncomfortable and interfere with daily life, but there are ways to manage them.

For women undergoing breast cancer treatment, it’s important to talk to your doctor about managing hot flashes as they can interfere with medication and treatment. Your doctor may recommend the following strategies:.

Medications: There are medications, such as antidepressants and gabapentin, that are often prescribed to ease the symptoms of hot flashes.
Hormone replacement therapy: While not recommended for women with breast cancer, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be an option for women who have completed cancer treatment but still experience hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.
Lifestyle changes: Certain lifestyle changes, such as avoiding triggers like alcohol and spicy food, can help to reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.
Deep breathing and relaxation techniques: Practicing deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation can help to manage stress and reduce the effects of hot flashes.

In addition to these strategies, dressing in layers, keeping a cool environment, staying hydrated, and getting regular exercise can also help to manage hot flashes.

Conclusion

Hot flashes are a symptom that many women experience as a result of menopause. However, for women undergoing breast cancer treatment, hot flashes can be a side effect that can interfere with medical treatment.

It’s important for women with breast cancer to discuss hot flashes with their doctor so that they can work together to manage the symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan.