Powered By
Almost everyone has heard about hot flashes in menopause or perimenopause. But what about cold flashes? Could your sudden chills be a symptom of menopause, too?
Yes, although hot flashes are more common, cold flashes happen to many women before or during menopause as well.
Women who describe cold flash symptoms often mention feeling suddenly cold, getting the chills, or even shivering. This strong, cold feeling happens as part of your body’s struggle to regulate temperature properly during menopause.
Like many symptoms of menopause, temperature issues are linked to your hormone levels, especially your estrogen levels. The root cause of cold flashes is the same as what causes hot flashes: the drop in estrogen.
Estrogen helps stabilize the temperature control center of your brain, located in your hypothalamus. When your estrogen levels dip, your body can overcompensate by adjusting your blood flow, making you feel too hot or too cold.
Chills and cold flashes can occur alongside hot flashes in a brief or long-lasting cycle of discomfort. They can come on during the day or at night. Hot flashes, which can include sweating and turning red, might be quickly followed by cold flashes that include chills and clammy skin.
Some of our members shared their experiences in dealing with both hot and cold flashes.
“I feel like my hormones are out of control; one minute I’m cold and a minute later I’m burning up; it’s like I’m not in control of my body,” one member said in a ThisIsMenopause survey.
“I can’t sleep at night. I have night sweats and hot and cold flashes all the time. It’s just not fun,” another added.
When the temperature control center of your brain is out of whack during perimenopause and menopause, it can narrow the temperature zone where you feel comfortable. For example, even a slight increase in temperature can send your body into a sweat and flush, while a small drop in temperature can cause chills and shivering.
It’s a good idea to dress in layers, use layered bedding, adjust the thermostat, and be prepared to help your body stabilize temperature. Although it may feel repetitive, bundling up or stripping down, having a warm or cold beverage, and taking other steps to balance your body’s temperature can help.
“Put on a jacket and every blanket you own. Now take it off. Get cold and repeat until you die!” joked one frustrated member in our survey.
Luckily, “until you die” is a bit of an exaggeration. Some people experience hot or cold flashes for just a few months, while others have them for years. The average length of this symptom is about four years, according to research.
Some lifestyle changes may help improve your body’s temperature-regulation function. To avoid cold flashes, health experts recommend:
Some early studies found that slow, deep breathing helped reduce how often hot flashes happened. It may also help you feel calmer during a hot or cold flash. In one small study, women who practiced paced breathing had about 50 percent fewer hot flashes. However, later studies found mixed results.
Medication or hormone therapy may also be treatment options if your hot or cold flashes are severe or interfering with your daily life.
Those who have never experienced hot or cold flashes may underestimate how unpleasant they can be. The discomfort they cause may be intense and create anxiety for some women.
Talk to your healthcare provider. Many hormonal and nonhormonal treatment options can help relieve your menopause symptoms. Your care team can help you choose the best option for your needs.
Menopause is more than a reproductive milestone, and your symptoms deserve a thoughtful, whole-body approach to care. Remember, you deserve to feel good in your body.
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Email
Become a member to get even more
Join the conversation
This is a member-feature!
Sign up for free to view article comments.
We'd love to hear from you! Please share your name and email to post and read comments.
You'll also get the latest articles directly to your inbox.