Hydration, regular sleep routines, gentle exercise: Practical ways to manage hot flushes and night sweats

Simple everyday strategies and emerging treatments can help women stay comfortable during menopause Read more at straitstimes.com.

Sudden waves of heat rising from the chest to the face, sometimes accompanied by sweating or a racing heartbeat, may be some common experiences during menopause. These episodes, known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS), can vary in intensity and frequency, and may affect sleep, work or daily routines.

While factors such as stress, certain foods, alcohol or thyroid conditions could trigger similar sensations, persistent VMS may be closely linked to the physiological changes that occur during menopause1.

As oestrogen levels drop, the brain becomes more sensitive to small temperature changes, while shifts in nerve signals and blood flow contribute to hot flushes and night sweats.

Understanding what causes these symptoms – and the options available to manage them – could help women approach this stage of life with greater comfort and confidence.

Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 to 55, with an average age around 49, reports the World Health Organization.

In Singapore, one of the top five menopausal symptoms is VMS, with 19 per cent of menopausal women experiencing hot flushes, according to research by the National University Hospital and National University of Singapore Medicine (NUS Medicine)2.