Hot flashes are the bane of women of a certain age -- and with good reason. Menopausal hot flashes strike without warning and with no regard for where you are or what you’re wearing. Before you reach for that iced venti double-shot macchiato to cool back down, take a deep breath. Caffeine may not be your best friend right now.
Hot Flash Facts
Hot flashes are generally associated with menopause, but they can also be caused by menopause that is induced via chemotherapy, withdrawal from being treated with hormone replacement medications or therapy involving tamoxifen, which is used to treat and prevent breast cancer. Hot flashes involve a sudden increase in body temperature and sweating, sometimes followed by chills.
Caffeine Facts
Caffeine is a well-known stimulant that works on your central nervous system. Some people are more sensitive to its effects than are others, and if you are a regular coffee drinker, you will become less sensitive to them over time. Caffeine is most commonly found in coffee, teas other than herbal blends, chocolate and cola drinks. It has a mild diuretic effect that is usually offset by whatever liquid it is contained in, according to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Mechanism
According to Carol Brejnak at Wayne State University, hot flashes are associated with catecholamine levels in women. Your adrenal system releases catecholamines in the response popularly known as “fight or flight.” When catecholamines are released, they evoke physical responses such as nervousness and sweating, as well as others from your central nervous system, which caffeine also stimulates.
Prevention
The best way to prevent caffeine from triggering hot flashes is to avoid caffeine. The recommended daily dose of caffeine is 300 mg, or about three cups of coffee or tea per day. If you are a habitual coffee or tea drinker, it is best to wean yourself off of the caffeine slowly. Caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, so keep track of how much you are taking in and slowly reduce the amount. Exercise is also believed to help ease hot flashes, according to Villanova University.
References
- Villanova University; Menopause; Symptoms; December 2003
- Michigan State University: The Family Care Research Program: Cancer and Treatment-Related Hot Flashes
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: McKinley Health Center: Caffeine
- Wayne State University; Mechanisms of Menopausal Hot Flashes: The Role of Catechol Estrogens and Diet; Carol Brejnak; January 1998
