Clinical Hypnosis for Hot Flashes: The Evidence

What is clinical hypnosis for hot flashes?

Clinical hypnosis is a therapist-guided state of focused attention and deep relaxation, used in medicine for pain, anxiety, and now hot flashes 1Ref 1The North American Menopause Society (Menopause Society) (2023).The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society.The 2023 NAMS nonhormone position statement recommends clinical hypnosis for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, describing it as a mind-body approach with a low risk of side effects.. During a session, the therapist offers calming suggestions and mental imagery, often of coolness, that seem to steady the brain's temperature-regulating center. You stay awake and in control the entire time, which sets clinical hypnosis apart from the stage version. Menopause guidelines describe it as a mind-body approach with a low risk of side effects 1Ref 1The North American Menopause Society (Menopause Society) (2023).The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society.The 2023 NAMS nonhormone position statement recommends clinical hypnosis for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, describing it as a mind-body approach with a low risk of side effects.. Because it is not a hormone, it appeals to women who cannot use estrogen or prefer to avoid it 2Ref 2The North American Menopause Society (Menopause Society) (2022).The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society.Establishes hormone therapy as the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, framing hypnosis as an option when hormones are unsuitable or unwanted..

What does the research show?

Randomized trials show clinical hypnosis can reduce how often and how strongly hot flashes strike, and the North American Menopause Society recommends it as a nonhormone option in its 2023 statement 1Ref 1The North American Menopause Society (Menopause Society) (2023).The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society.The 2023 NAMS nonhormone position statement recommends clinical hypnosis for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, describing it as a mind-body approach with a low risk of side effects.. The earlier 2015 position statement had already flagged hypnosis as a promising mind-body therapy worth further study 4Ref 4The North American Menopause Society (Menopause Society) (2015).Nonhormonal management of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: 2015 position statement of The North American Menopause Society.The 2015 NAMS nonhormonal position statement flagged clinical hypnosis as a promising mind-body therapy warranting further study.. A 2015 federal evidence review likewise judged the results encouraging while calling for larger trials 3Ref 3Grant MD, Marbella A, Wang AT, Pines E, Hoag J, Bonnell C, Ziegler KM, Aronson N (2015).Menopausal Symptoms: Comparative Effectiveness of Therapies (Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 147).AHRQ comparative-effectiveness review judged mind-body and behavioral therapies for menopausal symptoms encouraging while calling for larger trials.. Effects vary between people, and benefits are strongest with a trained clinician rather than a generic relaxation recording. Hypnosis is usually taught over about 5 weeks, with short practice between sessions.

How does hypnosis compare with medicines?

Hypnosis carries far fewer physical side effects than most hot-flash medicines, which is a large part of its appeal 1Ref 1The North American Menopause Society (Menopause Society) (2023).The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society.The 2023 NAMS nonhormone position statement recommends clinical hypnosis for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, describing it as a mind-body approach with a low risk of side effects.. Hormone therapy still relieves hot flashes more completely than mind-body approaches, so hypnosis is often chosen when hormones are unsuitable, unwanted, or only part of the plan 2Ref 2The North American Menopause Society (Menopause Society) (2022).The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society.Establishes hormone therapy as the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, framing hypnosis as an option when hormones are unsuitable or unwanted.. Compared with a pill, hypnosis asks for more active effort, such as attending sessions and practicing at home. The payoff is a skill that stays available afterward and can also ease stress and sleep.

For night-time symptoms, the same relaxation may support better sleep and reduce hot flashes at night.

Who might try clinical hypnosis?

Clinical hypnosis suits women who want a low-risk, drug-free option or who cannot use hormones for medical reasons 1Ref 1The North American Menopause Society (Menopause Society) (2023).The 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society.The 2023 NAMS nonhormone position statement recommends clinical hypnosis for menopausal vasomotor symptoms, describing it as a mind-body approach with a low risk of side effects.. Symptoms differ across the transition: in perimenopause, when cycles still fluctuate, hot flashes may be sporadic, while after the final period they can settle into a pattern that lasts a median of about 7.4 years, and beyond 10 years for some women 5Ref 5Avis NE, Crawford SL, Greendale G, et al. / Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) (2015).Duration of menopausal vasomotor symptoms over the menopause transition.SWAN cohort study documents a median vasomotor-symptom duration of about 7.4 years, extending beyond 10 years for some women.. Interest also tends to grow among women juggling sleep loss, stress, and mood shifts, because the same techniques address more than heat.

Those tracking how long menopause symptoms last may find a mind-body skill valuable across that whole stretch.

When disruptive hot flashes need a clinician

A qualified clinician trained in clinical hypnosis can teach the technique and tailor the imagery to your symptoms and preferences. This is worth exploring when hot flashes disrupt sleep or daily life for more than 2 weeks, when medicines cause side effects, or when you prefer a drug-free first step. A menopause-aware primary care clinician or therapist can also help you find a reputable, trained practitioner rather than an unregulated app.

Gale can help you prepare for that conversation.