Hot flushes

Hot flushes are a common side effect of hormone therapy. Some men find that their hot flushes get milder and happen less often over time, but other men continue to have hot flushes for as long as they have hormone therapy.

Hot flushes can vary from a few seconds of feeling overheated to a few hours of sweating, which can be uncomfortable. You might feel very hot in your face, neck, chest or back. They are sometimes described as being mild, moderate or severe.

• A mild hot flush could last for less than three minutes and may make you feel warmer than usual and a little uncomfortable.
• A moderate hot flush can cause you to feel too hot. You might sweat and find you need to take off some layers of clothes.
• A severe hot flush can make you feel very hot and sweaty and you may need to change your clothes or bedding. Some men can feel irritable, uncomfortable, or even sick (nauseous).

Hot flushes might happen suddenly without warning, or they may be triggered by things such as stress, a hot drink or a change in the temperature. You may find you feel cold, shivery or exhausted afterwards. You might also sweat at night, which can disrupt your sleep and cause tiredness.

If your hot flushes are mild or don’t bother you, you may not need treatment. But speak to your doctor or nurse if you find them disruptive or difficult to deal with.

What can help?

Lifestyle changes

There are some lifestyle changes that may help.

• If you smoke, try to stop. Speak to your GP for help stopping or visit the NHS website.
• Try to stay a healthy weight. Read more about diet and physical activity.
• Make sure you drink enough – aim for around six to eight glasses of water a day. Try to cut down on alcohol and drinks that contain caffeine, like tea and coffee.
• Eat less spicy food.
• Keep your room at a cool temperature and use a fan.
• Keep a handheld fan in your bag or pocket for when you're out and about.
• Wear cotton clothes, linen or bamboo especially at night.
• Use light cotton, linen or bamboo bed sheets. If you sweat a lot at night, try using a cotton towel on top of your sheets which you can change easily.
• Try having lukewarm baths and showers rather than hot ones.
• Find ways to help reduce stress such as using calming breathing techniques, practicing meditation or yoga.

It can be helpful to keep a diary of your hot flushes. This can help you work out if there are any situations, or particular drinks or foods that bring on a hot flush. A diary might also help you to decide whether to have treatment for your hot flushes – you can download a diary from our shop.

Medicines

There are medicines that may help relieve the symptoms of hot flushes and reduce how often you get them. Your doctor or nurse may suggest a medicine called medroxyprogesterone or cyproterone acetate. Examples of other medicines that are sometimes used include gabapentin, venlafaxine and paroxetine.

As with any drug, you may get side effects from these medicines. Talk to your doctor or nurse about these before starting any treatment for hot flushes. Some medicines may not be suitable for men who have a history of high blood pressure, heart disease or strokes, or problems with their liver. Your doctor or nurse will discuss this with you.

Complementary therapies

Complementary therapies are used alongside standard treatments (often called conventional treatments), rather than instead of them. There are many different complementary therapies available that might help with hot flushes. These include acupuncture, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, herbal remedies and homeopathy. But the evidence for most complementary therapies isn’t very strong and we need more research to understand the possible risks and benefits.

It's important to tell your doctor about any complementary therapy you use or are thinking about using. Some complementary therapies have side effects or may interfere with your cancer treatment. You should also tell your complementary therapist about any cancer treatments you are having.

When you choose a therapist, make sure they are properly trained and belong to a professional body. The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council can give you advice about finding a therapist. Some complementary therapies are available on the NHS. Ask your hospital doctor, nurse or GP about this. Many hospices offer complementary therapies too.

Some men find that acupuncture and hypnotherapy help them deal with hot flushes.

• Acupuncture involves inserting very thin, sterile needles just below the skin. This shouldn’t hurt, but you might get a tingling feeling.
• Hypnotherapy is where a therapist talks to you and helps you go into a trance-like state where you feel very relaxed and calm. They then suggest things that might help.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help some men on hormone therapy deal with their hot flushes and night sweats. CBT helps you deal with hot flushes by changing negative thought patterns to help create new, healthier ways of thinking and develop strategies to better manage. Read more on the NHS website.

Herbal remedies use plants or plant extracts. Some men like to use herbal remedies, such as sage tea, evening primrose oil and red clover, to help with their hot flushes. But there's no evidence that these work, and it's important to check with your doctor that these are safe for you. For example, there is a small chance that a herbal supplement called black cohosh may cause liver damage. This is rare, but you shouldn't take it if you've ever had liver or kidney disease.

Not all herbal remedies in the UK are licensed, and the quality varies a lot. Be very careful when buying herbal remedies over the internet. Many are made outside the UK and may not be high-quality.

Many companies also make claims that aren’t based on proper research. There may be no real evidence that their products work, and some may even be harmful. Remember that even if a product is 'natural', this doesn't mean it is safe. Some herbal remedies may also affect your PSA level, making the PSA test unreliable.

Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK have more information on complementary therapies available, and important safety issues to consider when choosing a therapy. For more information about using herbal remedies safely, visit the MHRA website.

References and reviewers

Updated: April 2025 | Due for Review: April 2028