This Simple Mind-Body Practice Cuts Menopausal Hot Flashes in Half

Hot flashes occur when the hypothalamus becomes hypersensitive during menopause, triggering rapid blood vessel dilation and sweating. These vasomotor symptoms affect 80% of women and often persist for years A recent randomized clinical trial found that a six-week self-hypnosis program reduced menopausal hot flash frequency and severity by about 53%, with sustained improvements at 12 weeks About 90% of women using self-hypnosis reported noticeable relief, and those who practiced most consistently achieved the strongest reductions in hot flash frequency and daily interference The therapy was especially effective for breast cancer survivors, a group unable to use hormone-based treatments, producing a 64% reduction in symptom severity without adverse effects Beyond hypnosis, evidence also supports cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce how disruptive symptoms feel, relaxation practices to ease stress, and natural progesterone to help rebalance hormones during menopause