HOT FLASHES IN MEN
“Hot flashes in men”, what? Is that even a thing? Don’t women usually get hot flashes near menopause? How it is even related to men?
You’ll be surprised to know that but, Yes! It does exist.
But what are hot flashes?
A warm sensation suddenly hits all over your body. This might be so severe that you want to rip your skin off. This phenomenon is referred to as a hot flash. Sometimes the symptoms can last up to 30 seconds in some 10 minutes.
Body tries to get rid of the heat. Blood starts flowing towards your skin to get rid of the heat.
What is the phenomenon of hot flashes?
In the brain, hypothalamus is the center of all these actions. A set of cells called KNDy neurons help control body temperature. When these are stimulated, your body they influence your body’s temperature regulation.
Lower levels of testosterone stimulate KNDy neurons to work when they aren’t needed.
Boom! Hot Flash!
Women get hot flashes near menopause because estrogen levels dramatically drop. Same thing happens with men when there testosterone levels drop (The hormones made in testicles). So, it is kind of same phenomenon in both the genders.
This is very common in men who had treatment for prostate cancer.
Since prostate cancer is fueled by testosterone, the production of this male hormone is supposed to be stopped in such patients.
They aren’t very brutal but men do break out in sweat unknowingly.
How would I know if my testosterone levels are low?
Typical symptoms of low testosterone levels include:
- Fatigue
- Loss of muscle mass
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hair loss
Testosterone levels drop with increasing age by 1% every year after 30 years, but it can also be a sign of an underlying issue.
It is best to rule out the root cause for low testosterone levels before starting any kind of therapy.
Can there be any causes other than decreased testosterone levels?
- It is very common in people with diabetes, obese, anxiety, depression, IBS and having chronic liver and kidney disease.
- Certain thyroid gland or adrenal gland problems also contribute in hot flashes.
- It can also be a side effect of any medication.
What are the symptoms of hot flashes?
For some they are severe and persist for years. For some, they are mild and pass quickly. These symptoms can be very aggravating and incapacitating.
- Night sweats
- Rapid heart beat
- Increased respiratory rate
- Flushing of face, chest and abdomen
Which investigations should be done before treating hot flashes?
- Get your BP checked
- Get all hormones checked
- If everything is all right then check the medications that you are using.
Treatment
- Testosterone replacement therapy can help. But you must consult your doctor before opting for any kind of hormonal therapy.
Self medication is strongly discouraged by health providers and it increases the risk of certain cancers like prostate cancer and male breast cancer.
- Vitamin E supplements
- Synthetic progesterone
Non-medical Management
- Increased exercise
- Healthy diet
- Reduce stress and deep breaths
- Keep the temp below 70 degrees Fahrenheit
- Smoking and alcohol increases hot flashes so avoid it
- Avoid Hot liquids