Hot Flashes In Surgical Menopause

Hot flashes in surgical menopause were not a symptom I thought I would experience so soon. Honestly? I wasn’t expecting any of the side effects of surgical menopause or induced menopause to hit so quickly. I also wasn’t given any advice about the menopausal symptoms or risk factors. I definitely wasn’t told about the increased risk of osteoporosis or heart disease. 

The only thing I found out after my surgery was that I would be unable to take estrogen or hormone therapy of any kind due to the cancer diagnosis I received. 

Surgical menopause isn’t just a medical term – it’s a profound, life-changing experience that can change your life in ways you never imagined! In this article, I’ll try to cover as much as I can about the dreaded symptom that is “hot flashes in surgical menopause,” and my experience with them.

What Is Surgical Menopause?

Surgical menopause occurs when your ovaries are removed (oophorectomy), typically during a hysterectomy. Women and even younger women may have hysterectomies for many different reasons such as fibroids, endometriosis or to prevent ovarian cancer. Unlike natural menopause, which happens gradually, surgical menopause is an immediate, dramatic hormonal shutdown. You can read more about surgical menopause here.

1. The Hot Flash: What Is It, Really?

Hot flashes are more than just feeling warm. They’re a complex physiological response triggered by the sudden loss of estrogen. Imagine your body’s internal thermostat going completely haywire – that’s a hot flash.

The Biological Mechanism

1. Hypothalamus Confusion:

• Your brain’s temperature control center, (the hypothalamus,) incorrectly responds to temperature changes in your body.
• It misinterprets the body’s temperature signals and tries to release the heat to cool you off.
• Sometimes it over compensates which triggers an unnecessary cooling response that can leave you shivering. When a hot flash happens at night, it’s called night sweats.

2. Physiological Cascade

• The rapid blood vessel dilation is what is making you turn that pretty color of RED!
• This dilation under the skin can cause a sudden skin temperature increase.
• Not everyone has intense sweating with a hot flash, but this was a big problem for me and still is.
• All of this going back and forth to cool and heat can activate your sympathetic nervous system bringing on heart rate changes.   

II. A Word About Estrogen and Why It’s SO Important

Estrogen, a lipid-soluble steroid hormone, is one of the most important female sex hormones. It is predominantly produced by the ovaries, the testes, and adrenal cortex, and performs various crucial physiological functions.

Estrogen regulates important processes in your skeletal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems that impact your overall health. 

Estrogen affects:

• Cholesterol levels.
• Blood sugar levels.
• Bone and muscle mass.
• Circulation and blood flow.
• Collagen production and moisture in your skin.
• Brain function, including your ability to focus.

This information was gathered here.

So as you can see, the abrupt cut off of estrogen by surgery and even the gradual loss of it can be quite the ordeal for our bodies.  For me, this explains pretty much ALL of the things that I’ve been dealing with.

III. Surgical Menopause: The Hot Flash Intensity Factor

Why Surgical Menopause Creates More Extreme Hot Flashes

When ovaries are surgically removed, there’s no gradual hormone decline. When the hormone production stops, you feel it almost like withdrawals. 

1. This abrupt change means:

• You can have more frequent hot flashes. I had my first hot flash in the recovery room right after surgery.
• The hot flashes in surgical menopause can have a higher intensity to them for some women, not all.
• Longer duration of symptoms. I’ve had times when I felt as if my hot flashes were stuck on!
• Less predictable patterns, where they will seem to come from nowhere no matter what you’ve done to prevent them.

2. Statistical Insight:

• Average hot flash duration: 4-5 minutes is typical but they can go on longer.
• Potential frequency: 1-10 times daily. Also typical, my personal best was 30!!!  WOW!!!
• Possible persistence: 7-10 years is what I’ve been finding now but I was told only 2 years with no other variables ever explained to me.  

IV. The Cancer Diagnosis Complication

When Hormone Replacement Isn’t an Option

For women, like myself, who’ve experienced a cancer diagnosis alongside surgical menopause, the hot flash journey becomes even more complex. Some women who are being treated for breast cancer may also have hot flashes if they are taking certain medications. With hormone replacement therapy (HRT) off the table, management requires creative or holistic approaches.

Unique Challenges

• No hormonal intervention has almost seemed cruel to me at times, when my symptoms were at their peak.
• More intense symptoms can happen especially in surgical menopause or if you are actively treating a cancer that is estrogen driven, unable to take HRT.
• Limited medical treatment options as some doctors will absolutely NOT prescribe you HRT no matter how bad you’re suffering!
• Potential long-term health considerations like osteoporosis, heart disease and even Alzheimer’s, scare the living crap out of me!! I feel helpless when told I can’t have HRT. 

Alternative Management Strategies

Non-Hormonal Medical Interventions

• There are some prescription medications that can help with sweating and a new non-hormonal medication on the market specifically for hot flashes. You can read more about this here.
• Antidepressants can also help. This is what I do for mine and I have seen some relief.
• Blood pressure medications also really help, BUT they do make you drowsy, which isn’t the best thing if you work.

Lifestyle Modifications

• Dietary changes like cutting out sugar! It’s my biggest trigger. Within seconds after sampling cotton candy at work one day, I lit up like Rudolph!
• Stress reduction techniques like meditation or paced breathing have been shown to work in some studies I’ve read.  No stress good/Cortisol bad!!  LOL!
• Regular exercise I found hard to do because of not feeling well and maybe you’ve felt this way too? Contrary to what we think, even gentle exercise will help with the nagging fatigue that we sometimes, (no, often!) deal with. Always consult with your doctor before starting!
• Sleep is so damn important if you’re in surgical menopause! Period!! Doing the actions above will help you have improved sleep. You also need to have a good sleep hygiene routine.  I’ve suffered from chronic insomnia all my life, but I do okay in part because of my sleep hygiene.

V. Coping With Hot Flashes In Surgical Menopause

Surviving (and Thriving) Through Hot Flashes

Clothing and Environmental Strategies

• Dress in layers that can be removed if you know you’re going to be active enough to break a sweat or in a warm environment.
• Moisture-wicking fabrics actually do work and I need to invest in more pieces myself.
• Portable fans:  OH MY! Trust Me!! I own 6 neck fans, had a huge box fan at work and a few others strategically placed around the house.  Even my car has air conditioning in the seats!!
• Cooling towels:  I’ll be recommending these soon! 😊
• Strategic home temperature management is something that my husband graciously works with me on. Our wood stove is at one end of the house and I’m usually at the other.

Nutrition Modifications

• Hydration is crucial! I can speak to this!! Take your weight, divide it in half. That number is the amount of water you should be drinking in OUNCES per day. Me? 200lb./2 =100 /100 oz. per day is what I drink. Typically about 5-6 /16.9 oz. water bottles….refillable of course!!=)
• Avoid triggering foods like (caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods.) Sugar is the highest on the list for me! Just a small amount can set off a flash.
• Regular balanced meals as well as medication. Anything you consume should be done on a schedule. That seems to work very well for me. Take things at the same time every day.  
• Herbal supplements and vitamins can be a great help! There are also tinctures that may be useful. I’ll be making another blog post just for that soon!

*Please Note:  As with anything please talk with your doctor to make sure you are cleared for whatever you choose to take.

VI. Emotional Wellness: More Than Physical Symptoms

Hot flashes aren’t just physical – they’re an emotional journey.

Acknowledge the complexity of your experience:

• Seeking support groups can be difficult if you’re in the thick of the suffering but it’s always nice to find out that you’re not alone!
• Consider counseling if you’re unable to find a group or if you’re in a living situation where you feel misunderstood or unsupported..
• Practice self-compassion and know that this IS SIGNIFICANT!! It’s no small thing, I understand!
• Communicate with partners and family. You have to let those who are close to you know what’s going on so that they can help you and so they don’t take things too personally.

VII. Conclusion: Your Journey, Your Strength

Hot flashes in surgical menopause are not a weakness – they’re a testament to your body’s incredible adaptability. Every hot flash is a reminder of your resilience, your strength, and your ability to navigate complex medical challenges.

I totally understand, I get it. I’ve been there and I’m still there in some ways. So please know that if you’re ever in the thick of it, you can reach out for help. As my blog grows, I’ll have more resources for you! Menopause in general may seem easy to a person who has never experienced it. They may think a hot flash is no big deal. Oh, it’s a big deal alright! Big enough that I can’t currently work, big enough that my relationships are strained and big enough that I’ve had to re-evaluate pretty much everything in my life. That isn’t such a bad thing though!! 😊

Remember:  You are not alone. Your experience is valid. And you are absolutely extraordinary to be living through this trying time with courage and grace.

Consultation is Key

Always work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized management strategy.  Be honest and tell your doctor EVERYTHING!!  Even if it seems embarrassing! Every woman is different and we each have different symptoms and different levels to those symptoms. Hot flashes in surgical menopause is definitely not one size fits all!

Please note: I’m not a healthcare worker or doctor of any kind. My experience is first hand and true for me and will hopefully help you in some way.