Hot flashes are feelings of intense heat that often affect women during menopause. But men can also experience hot flashes from hormonal changes, lifestyle causes, and some medical conditions.
A hot flash is a feeling of intense heat that is not triggered by your immediate surroundings. It often appears suddenly.
Hot flashes are commonly linked to females assigned at birth who are experiencing menopause. However, people who are not in menopause may also experience hot flashes.
Language matters
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article uses the terms “men/women” and “male/female” when discussing a person’s sex assigned at birth to reflect language that appears in source materials.
More people search using the terms “men” and “women,” so these are used throughout the piece to reflect that trend.
Learn more about the difference between sex and gender.
Hot flashes in men
A 2024 research review reports that it’s estimated that as many as 8 in 10 people who undergo ADT experience hot flashes. This is most likely due to the rapid decline of testosterone, a hormone found in higher quantities in male bodies.
Hot flashes are
People assigned male at birth have much lower estrogen levels. Instead, they have higher levels of testosterone.
However, unlike the naturally sharp decline of estrogen that most often occurs in women ages
In fact, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) reports that men typically experience about a 1% drop in testosterone each year after age 30 years. This is considered a healthy and steady decline.
However, during ADT, testosterone levels drop significantly to help prevent prostate cancer cells from growing.
Other causes of hot flashes in men may include stress and anxiety.
Hot flashes usually feel like a sudden sensation of warmth that may affect the neck, chest, and face, which may be accompanied by:
- sweating
- skin discoloration
- flushing
- headache
- fatigue
- weakness
- heart palpitations
- night sweats
Such symptoms may pass quickly, generally averaging
Most men stop having flashes after about 4 months of finishing ADT, but you may continue to experience them if you stay on the therapy.
If you’re undergoing ADT, you may also experience other symptoms, such as:
- erectile dysfunction
- loss of libido
- mood changes
- fatigue
- unintended weight gain
Limited research has examined treatments for hot flashes in men.
Some research suggests that people experiencing severe hot flashes during ADT could try taking certain drugs off-label, including megestrol acetate, venlafaxine, or gabapentin. Clonidine is also sometimes taken for hot flashes, per the NHS.
That said, there are no formal guidelines to support these recommendations. It’s important to speak with a doctor before taking any medications off-label.
Certain lifestyle and dietary changes may help relieve or prevent symptoms of hot flashes, including:
- trying stress-relieving techniques
- trying cognitive behavioral training (CBT)
- trying acupuncture
- avoiding spicy foods
- getting enough quality sleep
- staying physically active, such as exercising regularly
- avoiding triggers, such as alcohol, caffeine, smoking, hot temperatures, and tight clothing
It’s important to know that testosterone therapy is not recommended for men with a history of prostate cancer since it may stimulate cancer cells.
Unlike women who commonly experience hot flashes due to the naturally occurring, rapid, age-related decline in hormone production, men experience a slower decline in testosterone levels with age.
Rather, hot flashes in men often coincide with certain health conditions or are side effects of treatments like stress and androgen deprivation therapy.
Yes, sometimes stress may trigger hot flashes.
Many people describe hot flashes as a warm, flushing sensation that sweeps over the face, chest, and upper body. Symptoms often come on within seconds and may cause perspiration, heart palpitations, and anxiety.
One of the most common causes of hot flashes in men is androgen deprivation therapy, a treatment for prostate cancer that restricts testosterone production. Low testosterone levels, stress, and anxiety may also cause hot flashes in some.
Hot flashes cause an intense, heat-like sensation to sweep the face and upper body. Perspiration, headaches, and anxiety are also common.
Symptoms usually appear quickly and subside within minutes. They may happen several times each day but can also be an isolated event.
Treatment varies depending on the cause. If you have hot flashes, speak with a doctor about the potential causes and treatment options.