Menopausal Flushing

1 medicine

Menopausal flushing causes sudden waves of heat across the face, neck, and chest during and after menopause.

Catapres

Clonidine

100mcg

Catapres is a heart blood pressure medication containing Clonidine, available as 100mcg tablets.

from $1.00 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Menopausal flushing, commonly called hot flushes or hot flashes, is one of the most common symptoms of menopause.
  • A sudden wave of heat spreads across the face, neck, and chest, often followed by sweating, redness, and a rapid heartbeat; episodes last from a few seconds to several minutes and can persist for years after periods stop.
  • Falling oestrogen disrupts the body's temperature-control centre in the hypothalamus, which triggers the flush response.
  • Clonidine, also used in heart and blood pressure care, is a non-hormonal option when hormone therapy isn't suitable.

What causes it

Falling oestrogen levels disrupt the body's temperature-control mechanism in the hypothalamus, and that disruption triggers the flush response. This is why flushing tracks closely with the hormonal shifts of menopause. How long it lasts varies widely: some women have only a year or two of occasional flushes, while others experience them daily for a decade or more after periods have stopped.

How it's managed

Hormone therapy is generally the most effective option, but non-hormonal medicines can help when hormonal treatment isn't suitable. Clonidine, a medicine also used in heart and blood pressure care, works by calming the nerve signals that trigger blood vessel dilation, which reduces both the frequency and intensity of flushes.

Lifestyle changes that help

Keeping rooms cool, wearing natural fabrics, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and practising slow breathing at the onset of a flush can all complement medical treatment. Many women also find it helps to identify and avoid personal triggers, such as spicy food, hot drinks, or a warm room at night.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if flushes are frequent, disrupt sleep or daily life, or if you want to discuss hormone therapy or other options suited to your health history.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.