Using hypnosis to manage hot flushes in menopause

I’ve been exploring how hypnosis and mindfulness can support women during perimenopause for many years. I am passionate about following the evidence and want to make sure that the techniques I use in my practice are effective. In this blog, I'm going to show you what a difference hypnotherapy can make to your hot flushes.... and believe me they can!  

Hot flushes are one of the most common and distressing symptoms of menopause. You may already have had the experience of them coming up suddenly, causing a sensation of intense heat that spreads throughout the body, often accompanied by sweating, a rapid heartbeat, and a flushed face. These episodes can last from a few seconds to several minutes and can happen multiple times a day, severely disrupting daily life.  Other people just experience them as a stationary heat within, and others may just say "is it hot in here, or is it just me".

Night sweats, which are hot flushes that occur during sleep, can be particularly debilitating. They often lead to interrupted sleep, leaving you feeling exhausted and irritable the next day. Over time, this can contribute to chronic sleep deprivation, impacting your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.

Hot flushes can also cause embarrassment and anxiety, especially if they happen in social or professional settings. The unpredictability of these episodes can make it difficult to plan activities or enjoy social interactions, leading to a sense of isolation and frustration.

The Research

My approach to hot flushes is based on research outlined in Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society. The study, conducted by Gary Elkins and his team, involved 187 menopausal women who experienced frequent hot flushes. These women were part of a randomised controlled trial, where they received five weekly sessions of either clinical hypnosis or a structured-attention control. The results were astounding.

Women who underwent clinical hypnosis reported an incredible 74% reduction in hot flush frequency, compared to just 17% in the control group. The severity of hot flushes, as measured by the hot flush score, saw an 80% reduction in the hypnosis group, versus 15% in the control group. These improvements were not only statistically significant but also clinically meaningful.

The benefits of clinical hypnosis extended beyond just reducing hot flushes. Participants also experienced significant improvements in sleep quality and overall treatment satisfaction.

Where to get help

Clinical hypnotherapy can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of hot flushes, improve sleep, and enhance overall satisfaction for menopausal women. By integrating hypnosis into your self-care routine, you can take control of your menopausal symptoms and embrace this new chapter of life with confidence.

I work with women in my hypnotherapy clinics in Grantham, Melton Mowbray and online. If you would like to discuss how I can help, you can book a free 15-minute clarity call on my website.

Free hypnosis audio track

If you want to give hypnosis a try, readers of my blog can download a free track called, ‘Turning Down the Heat'. This carefully crafted audio track is designed to help you manage hot flushes. Many of my clients listen to it before they go to sleep or when they are having a hot flush. Repeated listening of this track alone can make a huge difference to the frequency and severity of hot flushes.

If you're intrigued by the potential of hypnosis to ease menopausal symptoms, take a look at my book, Mindful Menopause. In it, I share practical insights and techniques to use mindfulness and hypnosis to navigate menopause calmly and confidently.