Hot flushes in men

While in women a lack of estrogen is usually described as the cause of hot flashes, men with hot flashes suffer from a testosterone deficiency in most cases. The male sex hormone also presumably influences the hypothalamic temperature reaction, so that effects analogous to the effect of estrogen occur. The hypothalamus is a vital area in the brain that regulates circulatory function, body temperature and hormonal balance.

In addition to disorders or imbalances of the sex hormones, hot flushes also occur as part of drug-related side effects, as well as as a sign of hypoglycaemia in diabetics, as an excess of hormones in cases of hyperthyroidism or certain tumors. These are mainly endocrine tumors that produce hormones and thus interfere with the body’s highly sensitive circulation, and lymphomas, which are very often accompanied by heavy night sweats, are a possible cause.The combination of night sweat (= night sweats until the change of pyjamas and bed linen becomes necessary), fever and an unintentional weight loss in a short period of time is characteristic for lymphoma diseases, but can also occur in the context of other neoplasms. These three signs are referred to as the so-called B-symptoms.

In general, it can be said that men suffer less frequently than women from hot flushes and then mostly from drug-induced heat attacks, which occur as a side effect of certain therapies (for example, when treating a prostate carcinoma with hormone receptor blockers). The thyroid gland function can be disturbed in two ways. Hot flushes only occur when the thyroid gland is overactive.

This can be due to Graves’ disease or benign or malignant tumors. The thyroid gland produces too many hormones that promote a catabolic (degrading, rapid) metabolic state. In addition to hot flushes, sufferers have heat intolerance, palpitations, high blood pressure, hand tremors and heavy sweating.

Hair loss, irritability and sleep disturbances can occur. Classically, the hands are warm and moist. The patients tend to diarrhea and sometimes lose a lot of weight.

Sometimes there is also tormenting pain in the muscles (especially in the thighs). All these complaints can be completely eliminated by a proper therapy (medication, surgery, radiation). More information about hot flushes caused by the thyroid gland can be found in our matching article: Hot flushes and thyroid gland – What is behind them?

Both psychological and physical stress can cause hot flushes. Physical stress would be for example pain or high blood pressure. Hot flushes and stress are rather unspecific symptoms that can influence each other.

The “stressed body” can cause hot flushes, but hot flushes alone can also lead to a perception or association of stress. In general, the reduction of stress factors has a positive influence on the development and perception of hot flushes. If the pill is the classic contraceptive pill, consisting of estrogen and progestin preparations, the most common side effect of progestins can be hot flushes.

This is based on the same mechanism as hot flushes at ovulation. They are very rare when the pill is taken, but can be a contraindication (i.e. a reason to stop taking the pill) if the hot flushes are felt to be too distressing for the woman concerned. Cortisone itself does not cause hot flushes primarily, but rather secondarily via the general side effect of high blood pressure.

A therapy of this can only be achieved by discontinuing the medication containing cortisone. In case of dependence on cortisone intake and a strong stress caused by the hot flushes, a blood pressure lowering medication can be considered. Hot flushes of any genesis can fundamentally influence our sleep behavior.

The underlying mechanisms have not yet been sufficiently researched. In general, it can be said that healthy sleep hygiene also includes a body and ambient temperature that is perceived as pleasant. For severely restrictive sleep disorders, a thin blanket or a cold shower before going to bed can provide relief.