Are You Feeling Chilly? A Surprising New Method to Treat Menopause Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are one of the most uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, affecting approximately 85% of women. While traditional treatments often involve patches, pills, or creams, a surprising new study suggests an alternative method that doesn’t rely on any medication: self-administered hypnosis.
### The Study
Published in *JAMA*, the study involved 250 postmenopausal women. Participants were divided into two groups—one group practiced self-administered hypnotization, while the other underwent a fake hypnosis procedure. After six weeks, the results were striking: the group practicing self-hypnosis experienced more than a 53% reduction in hot flashes.
### Why Consider Nonhormonal Treatments?
Hormone therapy is a common approach to managing menopausal symptoms, but it may not be suitable for everyone. In fact, about 25% of the women in this study had a history of breast cancer, which makes hormone therapy riskier for them. Hormonal treatments can increase the risk of certain cancers, such as breast and uterine cancer. They are also associated with potential side effects including stroke, heart disease, and blood clots.
Nonhormonal options for hot flashes are generally limited to antidepressants or lifestyle changes. However, these often come with side effects like dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, and constipation, or they might not be as effective.
### Hypnosis as an Alternative
Hypnosis is not a new concept for treating hot flashes. Previous research has demonstrated that therapist-guided hypnosis can reduce both the frequency and severity of hot flashes significantly. Moreover, self-administered hypnotherapy, like in the recent study, has shown promising results in managing other health conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic pain.
The North American Menopause Society even recommended clinical hypnosis as a treatment for menopausal symptoms back in 2023.
### The Impact of Hot Flashes
Hot flashes can persist for years during menopause, often disrupting sleep and daily activities. Some women experience them for as long as 13 years. Despite this, until now, no research had specifically examined the effects of menopausal women hypnotizing themselves to alleviate vasomotor symptoms—namely hot flashes and night sweating.
### Conclusion
Self-administered hypnosis may offer a safe, effective, and noninvasive option for women seeking relief from the challenging symptoms of menopause without the risks associated with hormone therapy. As research continues, hypnotherapy could become a valuable tool in managing hot flashes and improving quality of life for many women.
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*If you’re experiencing menopausal symptoms, consult with your healthcare provider to explore all treatment options available to you.*
https://nypost.com/2025/11/11/health/postmenopausal-women-can-hypnotize-their-hot-flashes-away/
