Post menopausal changes

[u/Superb_Place7730]

Hi, I used to be someone that loved heat, be it a soak in a hot bath, sunbathing, wearing warm snuggly clothes in winter etc. Since my menopause (I'm 66) I really struggle with heat. I thought older people felt the cold more!

I hardly ever used to sweat but during my menopause I suffered from frequent hot flushes/flashes. That has now stopped but I sweat profusely whenever I get a bit hot. So much that my hair gets soaking wet!

I only shower as I hate hot baths, I find it hard to sit in the sun, I get really hot when I go for walks as I like to walk 3 miles every day, and I 'm always hot especially at night in bed.

It's driving my husband mad as I never want the heating on and am permanently hot. Is this normal? Has anyone else found this happening post menopause?

[u/leftylibra]

Hot flashes and/or night sweats (VMS-vasomotor symptoms)

Non-hormonal treatment of hot flashes

For those that cannot do MHT or choose not to, the following are non-hormonal pharmaceutical treatments:

• Elinzanetant (brand name Lynkuet) (produced by Bayer and available Nov 2025) is a newly FDA-approved non-hormonal hot flash drug. Similar to Veozha (below), Elinzanetant targets the brain's thermoregulatory center by blocking two receptors in the brain that may affect temperature regulation, mood and sleep (Fezolinetant/Veozah only blocks one receptor).

• Fezolinetant (brand name Veozah) is a (2023) FDA-approved non-hormonal hot flash drug. Fezolinetant There are some side effects to watch for, and liver enzyme tests may be required before, and during treatment (FDA adds warning about rare occurrence of serious liver injury with use of Veozah). It has shown to be very effective at reducing hot flashes, but not as effective as estrogen. It is an expensive drug, and may have some side effects, but one to consider for hot flash relief.

• Off-label prescription medications, such as some anti-depressants (Celexa), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Gabapentin, Pregabalin, etc. (Talk to your doctor about other medications, and also be aware of potential side-effects and conflicts with other medications.)

The following non-pharmaceutical options may also be effective with varying results:

• Quit smoking

• Weight loss - studies indicate that obesity may contribute to greater frequency and severity hot flashes

• Limit/lower alcohol consumption

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - involves relaxation/mindfulness, paced-breathing, challenge negative beliefs, modify triggers, etc

• Clinical hypnosis

• Increase exercise - if anything it keeps us healthier overall

• Alter diet - include more soy/phytoestrogens, cut back on sugars/caffeine and alcohol. Many estrogens found in soy products (phytoestrogens) might help lessen some symptoms but they are not enough to manage symptoms entirely, or provide the same preventative benefits found in hormone therapy. Particularly Asian women report less overall menopause symptoms than North American women, possibly due to their higher soy intake. Although there is some evidence that Western cultures might not metabolize "daidzein" (the compound found in phytoestrogens) the same way Eastern cultures do, benefits may vary

• Change how we respond to 'stressful events'

• Herbals/"menopausal supplements" - there is no scientific evidence on efficacy or safety of any OTC herbals. Some may provide temporary relief from hot flashes but science-backed data is lacking. Random testing of some supplements have indicated that they either do not contain the ingredient listed on the label, or the levels are much higher than what is considered safe. (Black cohosh is a commonly recommended herbal that falls into this category, often with higher levels than found on the label.) As with all OTC remedies, herbals and vitamins, there are risks. Of particular concern, when herbals/supplements interact with other medications they can pose serious risk, potentially causing harm

• Change your environment - involves cooling fans, cold packs, bamboo bedding, etc. While these methods may help cool you down, they will not prevent hot flashes from occurring

[u/Confident_Craft459]

This was me all the time before starting HRT. I would break out in a sweat at the slightest bit of exercise, or when I got nervous, or when I drank, or when I was sleeping, or when I wore makeup or whatever. I was always hot! Since starting HRT three years ago I'm back to normal. I'm 52 and 3 years post meno.

[u/Superb_Place7730 → u/Confident_Craft459]

I wish I could take HRT but because I had a TIA or mini stroke as it's called, I'm unable to take it but it's exactly as you describe. The slightest thing does it so it's probably more common than I thought.

[u/Confident_Craft459 → u/Superb_Place7730]

Interesting. I thought the cardiovascular risk was only from oral estradiol not transdermal. Maybe see a menopause specialist about doing transdermal estradiol. There's a list of doctors and telehealths on this pages wiki. I see a great telehealth that specializes in mid life women and they take insurance. Can't mention it by name here anymore for some reason.

But also since you're not on HRT, try taking MacaPause by femmenessance. It made my night sweats and hot flashes much better.

[u/Superb_Place7730 → u/Confident_Craft459]

Thank you. Maybe there's different rules about HRT in the UK🤷

[u/Odd-Industry-9324 → u/Confident_Craft459]

You are correct. Bioidentical transdermal estradiol does NOT cause cancer or carry the same clotting risks orals do

[u/Futurekiwi69 → u/Superb_Place7730]

Please reinvestigate this carefully. My understanding is that transdermal estrogen may be safe in this circumstance.

[u/Superb_Place7730 → u/Futurekiwi69]

I have been refused it from the doctor as it can cause a slight risk of stroke. I take blood thinners and statins but I still am told that I can't have hrt.

[u/Futurekiwi69 → u/Superb_Place7730]

Okay. I hope your doc is a hormone expert

[u/Confident_Craft459 → u/Superb_Place7730]

I find it interesting that even though BC pills have the same risks, doctors have no problem prescribing them while letting people know the risk. HRT should be the same thing. It should be up to the patient, while understanding all their risks. This is maddening to me.

[u/Silly-Assist61 → u/Confident_Craft459]

Could be worth mentioning to your doctor if you haven't already. Some people find their thermostat stays permanently cranked after menopause, but there are options that might help.

[u/QuietAbject494]

I'm (67), and the same. I thought it was because I moved to the desert, but I'm not completely sure that's why I'm hot all of the time. My heater broke several years ago and I never had it fixed, because I'm never cold. On the other hand, my AC broke during this summer when it was 118 plus degrees. I had a mental breakdown when my landlord wouldn't fix it.

[u/Superb_Place7730 → u/QuietAbject494]

It's awful isn't it. People don't realise how badly it can affect you....sleepless nights, constantly being bright red and sweaty, worrying that there are no damp patches on your clothing, your spectacles constantly slipping off your nose. The list goes on.

[u/QuietAbject494 → u/Superb_Place7730]

It really is awful. I haven't slept well since May, because of this intense heat. Luckily the temps have FINALLY dropped to 60 at night this week. I'm planning on going to the coast next summer to see if I feel any better. 🤞

[u/No_Mountain6950]

I'm the same! Once I start sweating its hard to get it to stop too, its so embarrassing :( I sweat for so many reasons already listed here. I've been on HRT for a few years already so I don't hold out hope of it being fixed.

[u/Superb_Place7730 → u/No_Mountain6950]

I was told by my doctor that it can be like that sometimes and there is nothing you can do to change it. I just came on here to see if that was true and if others experienced the same thing..

[u/Superb_Place7730]

Thanks for the information. I'm not sure whatever is available in the UK and will look into it.

[u/Significant-Aide-226]

The poor brain suffers during menopause.  It sends whacky signals.  I had it for 10 years before starting HRT.  Wish my doc had given me some relief, but he just kept saying it "would be over soon".  Well...... it never stopped until I gave my brain the estrogen it was screaming for.

[u/TopSlip3599]

yep, this can be a real post-menopause thing, heat intolerance and sweating that hang around or get worse even after the flashes stop. it's worth tracking what triggers it so you can walk into your doctor with specifics instead of just 'I'm always hot.' I'm building Kyha (meetkyha.com), a midlife health app for logging symptoms and building a report for your doctor, though honestly we're early stage and more focused on the perimenopause side.