Hot flashes are generally associated with women going through menopause. However, older men can also be plagued by hot flashes and it is far more common than most people think. A hot flash is really just a sudden flush of heat that tingles and flows over the neck, back, face and chest followed by uncomfortable sensations of being cold and clammy over the same areas. Very often a person will sweat profusely during a hot flash. Here are some common questions answered about hot flashes in men.
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Q: How can men get hot flashes?
A: Similar to menopause, men go through a change in hormone levels in their latter years called andropause. This results in a sudden drop off of testosterone levels, the male sex hormone. Andropause can last between five to fifteen years as levels of testosterone fall until finally stabilizing. This period of transition is the prime time for men to experience hot flashes.
Q: Can younger men experience hot flashes?
A: Beyond andropause, men who have prostate cancer can experience hot flashes because of reduced levels of testosterone in the body. Men can also experience hot flashes if their testes are removed due to testicular cancer or some other medical ailment. Any disruption in the balance of hormones can result in sudden hot flashes in both males and females.
Q: What mechanism causes hot flashes?
A: Having low levels of testosterone can cause the hypothalamus, the organ that regulates the temperature of your body, to be tricked into sensing that the body is overheated. The hypothalamus causes the blood vessels to expand, expelling heat and triggering a hot flash. What results are the symptoms of a hot flash, such as the cold sweats.
Q: How often can men get hot flashes?
A: A hot flash can occur up to ten times a day in most men but generally will fluctuate based on the individual.
Q: What should men do if they are experiencing hot flashes?
A: The best way to combat hot flashes is to speak with your doctor. Testosterone treatments, very similar to hormone replacement therapy that is used for women going through menopause, can be prescribed in order to compensate for the loss of testosterone. Estrogen may also be prescribed for men in order to combat the frequency of hot flashes.
Q: How can men limit the occurrence of hot flashes on their own?
A: Good places to start include limiting the amount of caffeine and alcohol consumed daily. Both substances can influence the body’s temperature and cause the hypothalamus to overcompensate. Patience and time are really the best way to deal with hot flashes as they will diminish over time as andropause begins to wind down.
Q: Are there any other symptoms of hot flashes in men that haven’t been covered?
A: In addition to the rush of heat, clamminess and sweating linked with male hot flashes, redness or rash may occur on the upper body. This often goes away on its own and there is not proven treatment for diminishing the appearance of hot flash rash on the body.
