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Hot Flashes Can Lead to Nausea?

Hot flashes during menopause aren't typically associated with nausea. However, a hot flash might provoke anxiety, potentially leading to nausea. Although this is rare.

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Hot flashes in menopause typically don't induce nausea. However, a hot flash might provoke anxiety,...
Hot flashes in menopause typically don't induce nausea. However, a hot flash might provoke anxiety, leading to nausea, but this is not common occurrence.

Hot Flashes Can Lead to Nausea?

Hot Flashes and Nausea: What's the Deal?

Here's the skinny on hot flashes and how they could potentially lead to feelings of nausea.

When you're in the throes of menopause, hot flashes might become your worst enemy. You know the drill - sudden, intense heat in your chest that surges to your face, leaving you red and sweaty. But can these pesky little episodes actually make you feel sick?

Dr. Claudia Mason, an Ob/Gyn and certified menopause practitioner, says it's possible to feel queasy due to hot flashes. But don't worry, it's quite uncommon. Learn more about this connection between hot flashes and nausea, and when it's time to chat with your healthcare provider about what's going on.

Hot Flashes and Nausea - A Shady Relationship?

Nausea isn't typically associated with hot flashes, but anxiety can be. And since anxiety can lead to nausea, it's plausible that a hot flash could trigger your anxiety, which in turn might make you feel queasy.

It's not a common symptom of hot flashes, but it's not unheard of, either. Dr. Mason points out that anxiety levels might slightly increase during the menopausal transition, sometimes due to social awkwardness when experiencing hot flashes in front of others. A study found that women with high anxiety levels were five times more likely to experience hot flashes compared to those in the "normal anxiety range."[1][2] So, if your hot flashes set off your anxiety, your anxiety could then kickstart feelings of nausea.

Symptoms to Watch Out For

Hot flashes come on fast, usually starting with a feeling of intense heat in your chest or torso. Here are some additional symptoms you might encounter during a hot flash:

  • Flushing and redness
  • Sweating
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Anxiety

After a hot flash, you may feel a chill as the sweat dries up.

Why Do I Feel Sick After a Hot Flash?

Typically, folks don't feel sick after a hot flash. These episodes are brief - intense heat rises quickly, then dissipates just as fast. However, if anxiety is a struggle for you, the anxious feelings that accompany a hot flash could make you feel nauseated and slightly unwell. Nausea is a symptom of an anxiety disorder, and stress nausea can even cause vomiting, though it's not common with hot flashes.[1][2]

Other Possible Causes

Infrequent nausea following a hot flash probably isn't anything to worry about. But if it happens frequently, a consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended to ensure there isn't something else at play. Dr. Mason notes that if your body sends blood to your face during a hot flash, you may feel a slight nausea or even dizziness.[1] Additionally, hot flashes can be a symptom of thyroid disease, carcinoid syndrome, cancer treatment, or side effects from certain medications.[1]

If you suspect that your hot flash-induced nausea is related to anxiety - general or menopause-specific - it's important to discuss this with your healthcare provider.[1]

"Nausea isn't typical of a menopausal hot flash," Dr. Mason reiterates, "so if you're experiencing it, it's essential to figure out what else might be going on."[1]

[1] Cleveland Clinic, "Claudia Mason, M.D.," 2022. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/team/21246/claudia-c-mason-md [Accessed 15 April 2023].

[2] Mason, C.C., 2021. "Menopause & Anxiety: How to Manage Yourself." [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/menopause-anxiety-how-to-manage-yourself/ [Accessed 15 April 2023].

[3] U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Menopause-related and celiac disease symptoms overlap in a case-control study of symptom clusters," 2020. [online] Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31764492/ [Accessed 15 April 2023].

[4] U.S. National Library of Medicine, "The pathophysiology of menopausal vasomotor symptoms," 2017. [online] Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28986052/ [Accessed 15 April 2023].

[5] U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Impact of hot flashes and night sweats on mood and sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis," 2019. [online] Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31251212/ [Accessed 15 April 2023].

  1. Anxiety, often caused by the social discomfort of experiencing hot flashes, can lead to nausea, though this is uncommon during menopause.
  2. The relationship between hot flashes and nausea is not common, but scientists have found that women with high anxiety levels tend to experience more frequent hot flashes, potentially leading to an increased risk of nausea.
  3. In some cases, nausea might be a symptom of a thyroid disease, carcinoid syndrome, cancer treatment, or side effects from certain medications, and individuals experiencing frequent nausea following hot flashes should consult their healthcare provider to explore other possible causes.

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