Do Men Get Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes or hot flushes are more common in menopausal women. However, they can also be experienced by men.

According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 33.1% of men reported having hot flashes and 4.3% reported having them at least a few times a week.

In this article, we’ll cover male hot flashes, what they look like, what causes them, and how to prevent them.

What Are Hot Flashes?

A hot flash is the sudden feeling of warmth in the upper body, which is usually most intense over the face, neck, and chest.

Hot flashes can happen at any time of the day or night, and if you’ve ever woken up in a cold sweat, you might have experienced one.

In some cases, a hot flash can cause the skin to redden, as if blushing. Hot flashes can also cause sweating, and a lot of people who experience them often feel a cold chill afterward.

What Causes Hot Flashes in Men?

Women get hot flashes or hot flushes when their hormone levels change as they get older. Men, on the other hand, don't naturally have a sharp drop of testosterone as they progress through life.

In fact, they only lose about 2% of their testosterone yearly after they turn 30, which is a normal and steady decline.

Here are a few known causes of male hot flashes:

Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a widely used treatment for prostate cancer which can cause hot flashes in men.

This treatment stops the production of testosterone so that it can't help cancer cells grow. As many as 80% of the men who have this kind of therapy experience hot flashes.

Most men stop having hot flashes within 3-4 months of stopping their androgen deprivation treatment, but it can take longer for some men. Men who stay on the treatment usually continue to have these symptoms.

Lifestyle Causes

Lifestyle choices can also play a large role in increasing a man's chances of experiencing hot flush. They often coincide with other symptoms like:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of libido
• Mood swings

These symptoms may be caused by:

• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety

Medical Causes

Low testosterone levels, also known as “low T,” can result from a variety of factors, and men with this condition can experience hot flashes.

Common causes of low testosterone levels include:

• Injury (leading to trauma or interrupted blood supply to the testes)
• Infection of the testes (orchitis)
• Chemotherapy
• Metabolic disorders (such as hemochromatosis, which leads to too much iron in the body)

Symptoms of Hot Flashes in Men

While hormone fluctuations in men and women are caused by different factors, the symptoms of hot flashes are the same for both. The most common symptoms of hot flashes are:

• A warm sensation that comes on suddenly
• Heavy sweating
• Reddening of the skin

A sense of warmth and flushing is felt most strongly in the head and the back of the body. People who have these symptoms may also sweat a lot and have reddened skin.

These symptoms may:

• Pass quickly
• Average at about 4 minutes
• End in a cold sweat

Another factor to consider is the frequency of hot flashes. Some people don't experience these symptoms often, but others can have them up to 10 times a day.

How to Treat Hot Flashes in Men

There is no official medication for hot flashes in men, but some treatments that may help include:

• Antidepressants
• Progestin hormones (such as Megestrol)
• Antiandrogen hormones (such as Cyproterone)
• Estradiol
• Testosterone replacement therapy

Another approach is to address lifestyle factors that may be causing hot flashes. Improving your diet, sleep, and overall fitness might help stop or lessen hot flashes.

Because testosterone replacement therapy has been linked to prostate cancer cell growth, it is unsafe for men who have had this type of cancer in the past to use this treatment.

Speak to a registered physician about your options before starting any treatment for hot flashes.

Complementary Therapies for Hot Flashes

There's very limited evidence that complementary therapies can help men with prostate cancer who experience hot flashes.

• Acupuncture: Smaller studies suggest that people may have less extreme hot flashes while having acupuncture.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This therapy is based on the idea that your thoughts and actions are linked. It is all about getting into a positive state of mind to better manage the symptoms.

Prevention of Hot Flashes in Men

Outside of official medical treatments, there are personal home remedies men can try to help with their hot flashes. Here are some suggestions:

• Keep your room cool
• Wear light clothing (preferably layers so that you can take off some of your clothes) to avoid overheating
• Wear natural fibers (such as silk or cotton) instead of artificial fabrics
• Make your showers or baths lukewarm instead of hot
• If you sweat a lot at night, put a towel (or cooling pad) on your bed when sleeping
• Avoid situations with heightened emotions
• Cut out nicotine, coffee, and tea
• Drink cold or iced drinks
• Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum

Should Men See a Doctor When Having Hot Flashes?

If hot flashes affect your daily activities or nighttime sleep, consider seeing a doctor to discuss treatment options. Keep in mind that there are many conditions — such as hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, anxiety, and certain infections, to name a few — that can cause hot flashes. Side effects from certain medications can cause hot flashes as well. A doctor can help determine the root cause of the hot flashes.

Research continues to determine low testosterone levels play a role in causing hot flashes.

If you’re experiencing some of the symptoms covered here, you can make a telehealth appointment at LifeMD.com and meet with a board-certified doctor from the comfort of your home.