If Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Are Your New Normal, It’s Time to Talk to Your Doctor

For many women, menopause arrives with a long list of symptoms that range from annoying to disruptive. Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, and mood changes are so commonly associated with menopause that women presume they simply must endure them.

But that presumption may be preventing women from getting treatment that could greatly improve their quality of life.

Understanding what symptoms are typical, when they might require attention, and what treatment options are available (including recently approved non-hormonal therapies) can help women feel more confident discussing menopause with their doctor.

Menopause Symptoms Have a Name and Can Affect Daily Life

Menopause is a natural stage of life caused by hormonal changes as the ovaries gradually stop producing estrogen. This transition during perimenopause (the transition stage into menopause when your period becomes irregular) is inevitable, however the symptoms that accompany it can vary widely in type and severity.

“Typical menopause symptoms include hot flashes and night sweats—also known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS)—as well as other symptoms like sleep disruption, depressed mood, irritability, vaginal dryness, recurrent urinary tract infections, joint pain, and low libido,” explains Dr. Alison Shea, a Hamilton, Ontario-based obstetrician and gynecologist, menopause and reproductive mental health specialist.

Hot flashes and night sweats are by far the most common symptoms. Research suggests around 80 per cent of women experience these vasomotor symptoms during menopause.

For some women, vasomotor symptoms are manageable. For others, they can significantly affect daily functioning. Studies suggest roughly one in four women experience severe VMS that interfere with sleep, work productivity, mood, and relationships.

Why Many Women Don’t Seek Help

Despite how common vasomotor symptoms are, many women are hesitant to discuss them with their healthcare provider.

Part of the reason is stigma. In Canada, over half of women believe menopause is still a taboo topic, which makes it difficult to talk openly about symptoms, even with their doctor.

There’s also a knowledge gap around treatment options. According to a recent 2026 Angus Reid poll of Canadian women aged 45 and older, while 75 per cent of those polled felt confident speaking with their healthcare provider about menopause treatments, only 26 percent felt well informed about their available options. As a result, half of Canadian women experiencing VMS aren’t receiving treatment, which can leave many believing that their symptoms are simply something to be tolerated.

When Menopause Symptoms May Require Medical Advice

While menopause is a natural transition, certain symptoms, particularly when they interfere with daily life, are worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

“If vasomotor symptoms are affecting quality of life, that’s when we start thinking about treatment,” says Dr. Shea.

Hot flashes and night sweats are more than just annoying and uncomfortable. They can negatively affect sleep quality and overall health.

“Yes, these symptoms can impact sleep and quality of life,” says Dr. Shea. “Untreated hot flashes may also have long-term implications, including an increased risk for cardiac events and changes in the brain’s white matter.”

Understanding Your Treatment Options

Treatment options for vasomotor symptoms have expanded in the past year, giving Canadian women more options based on their medical history, preferences, and symptom severity.

One option is menopause hormone therapy (MHT), which typically includes a combination of estrogen and progesterone or progestin.

“MHT may be considered when vasomotor symptoms are affecting quality of life,” says Dr. Shea. “It can also be used to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and improve depressive symptoms during perimenopause.”

However, hormone therapy isn’t always appropriate for everyone. Certain medical conditions may make hormone therapy unsuitable.

“In addition to hormone therapy, we now have non-hormonal options that are specifically indicated for vasomotor symptoms,” says Dr. Shea.

Health Canada has approved neurokinin receptor antagonist (NKRA) therapies, which can reduce the frequency and severity of moderate to severe hot flashes and night sweats. These treatments offer a new option for women who cannot take hormone therapy or prefer to find a treatment plan that fits their needs best.

Dr. Shea suggests that some lifestyle strategies and environmental adjustments may also help to reduce or manage VMS. Identifying and avoiding common triggers such as wine, spicy foods, hot beverages, and stress, as well as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and prioritizing sleep can make a positive difference.

Environmental adjustments can help manage symptoms as well. “Dressing in layers, using fans, and choosing moisture-wicking sheets can help make hot flashes more manageable,” she says.

How to Start the Conversation with Your Doctor

Even though many women want more support during menopause, relatively few initiate the conversation. However, discussing symptoms with your doctor is the first step towards finding relief.

“If symptoms are bothersome, women should ask their healthcare provider about their options,” says Dr. Shea.

When speaking with a healthcare professional, describe how your symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats affect your daily life, like sweating through your blouse in the boardroom and barely getting sleep when the kids have to be up in the morning. Patients and providers can review treatment options together and decide on the approach that best aligns with personal preferences and medical history.

For conversation starters and information about questions to ask your doctor, visit WhatsVMS.ca and download the Doctor Discussion Guide.

This post is sponsored by Astellas Pharma Canada