Hot Flashes at 30: What You Need To Know

It’s not just women in their 50s and 60s who experience hot flashes. Many women start to have hot flashes in their 30s. So, is hot flashes at 30 normal? What causes hot flashes at 30? In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of hot flashes in younger women and offer some tips on how to deal with them.

Hot Flashes at 30

When do hot flashes usually start?

Hot flashes can start in your 30s, but they are most common in women who are going through menopause. Hot flashes are one of the primary symptoms of menopause.

Menopause is when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs and her body produces less estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and keeps hot flashes under control. When estrogen levels drop, hot flashes can occur.

What are the symptoms of hot flashes?

Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of warmth that spread over the body. They are often accompanied by a red, flushed face and sweating. You might feel it more in your upper body. The body heat can feel unbearable. You could also experience excessive sweating. Hot flashes can last for a few seconds or minutes and can occur several times a day.

They are often very uncomfortable to experience. You may experience night sweats as your hormone levels fluctuate. The frequency of hot flashes could be indicative that something else is going on like early menopause so you want to get it checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. .

What are the symptoms of hot flashes?

Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of warmth that spread over the body. They are often accompanied by a red, flushed face and sweating. Hot flashes can last for a few seconds or minutes and can occur several times a day.

They are often very uncomfortable to experience. You may experience night sweats as your hormone levels fluctuate.

Along with hot flashes, you might experience irregular periods, night sweats, decreased libido, vaginal dryness or discomfort, mood changes, cholesterol problems, and more.

What causes hot flashes in your 30s?

There are a few possible causes of hot flashes in younger women. If you have recently started any new prescription medications or things like cancer treatments (including for breast cancer), please speak to your doctor about hot flashes being a potential side effect. Certain medications and treatments might be putting you at an increased risk of severe hot flashes.

Additionally, some medical conditions can cause hot flashes so you want to be sure to speak with your medical team to eliminate any of those as the root cause. You can find an experienced provider through the North American Menopause Society.

One reason may be that you are perimenopausal. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when your hormone levels start to decline. Premature menopause should not be taken lightly.

This decline can cause hot flashes, among other symptoms. Another possibility is that you have a thyroid condition or other hormonal imbalance. If you think this may be the case, speak to your doctor about getting tested.

There is also another lesser studied and understood condition called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) which can cause hot flashes in young women. POI occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop functioning properly before she is 40 years old. If you are experiencing hot flashes and think you may have POI, speak to your doctor.

While the causes of hot flashes at 30 are not always clear, there are some things you can do to lessen the burden.

How to Deal With Hot Flashes

There are a few things you can do to help ease hot flashes. One is to dress in layers so that you can take off clothing when you start to feel hot.

Another is to avoid triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. You can also try relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation. If hot flashes are impacting your quality of life, speak to your doctor about hormone therapy options. Based on your medical history, hormone treatment may be an option.

If you are experiencing hot flashes at night, you can try sleeping on bamboo sheets or in a cooler room to help alleviate some of the discomforts.

You can also try sleeping with a fan or taking a cool shower before bed. These both may help reduce your discomfort.

Hot flashes can be uncomfortable, but there are things you can do to help ease the symptoms. If hot flashes are impacting your quality of life, speak to your doctor about potential medication options if necessary.

Lifestyle Changes

Did you know that many of the products we use like body lotions, soap, shampoo, cleaning products, and more are laden with chemicals known as endocrine disruptors?

Yes, these products interfere with your body’s natural hormone systems and can wreak havoc on the body causing symptoms such as hot flashes.

Think of hot flashes not so much as the issue but as a symptom of the issue.

Changing your products out to more natural options that don’t contain endocrine disruptors can be game-changing.

You can also make sure you’re eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress. These are all things that can help improve your body’s overall hormone health.

If you think hot flashes might be related to your lifestyle choices, consider making some changes to see if it makes a difference.

Hot flashes in your 30s can be normal, but they can also be a sign of an underlying issue. If hot flashes are impacting your quality of life, speak to your doctor about potential causes and treatment options.

Other lifestyle changes include getting daily exercise and eating a heart-healthy and lower inflammatory diet. Getting enough restful sleep every night along with reducing your stress levels can also make a big impact.

The Thyroid’s Role in Hot Flashes

Your thyroid gland produces hormones that play a big role in hot flashes.

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause hot flashes and night sweats. This happens because when your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones, it can cause your body temperature to drop, leading to hot flashes.

If you think hypothyroidism may be the cause, speak with your health care provider. They may recommend something like hormone replacement therapy for hot flushes. This is not without it’s own set of side effects so you will want to have this conversation with an experienced healthcare provider.

The Risks of Having Hot Flashes in Your 30s

According to Healthline, having hot flashes in your 30s should just be seen as an inconvenicne. These hormonal changes can wreak havoc on your body and your health.

Hot flashes in younger women impact the blood vessels’ ability to dilate. This has been directly linked to heart disease, cardiovascular symptoms, and high blood pressure, and affects bone and brain health.

These are not just concerns for older women anymore. Even postmenopausal women don’t experience these symptoms over time so women in their 30s should be especially aware of them.

You Are Not Alone

If you’re experiencing hot flashes in your 30s, know that you’re not alone. According to the NIH, about 1 in 100 women go experience hot flashes in their 30s.

Many women go through this phase of life and there are things you can do to manage the symptoms. Talk to your doctor if hot flashes are interfering with your daily life. They can help you determine the cause and find the best treatment option for you.

What have you found helpful for managing hot flashes? Let us know in the comments below!

This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider.

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