Hot flashes affect most women at some point, whether during natural menopause or following treatment for breast or other cancers. Night sweats and flushing can be difficult to treat with medication, but hypnosis can provide a natural, non-pharmaceutical therapy for the problem.
During hypnosis, the doctor can suggest images of coolness and relaxation tied to episodes of flushing or hot flashes. These suggestions can be designed to resurface while sleeping if the hot flashes or night sweats are interrupting sleep, and they can be paired with imagery of a safe space if the symptoms are causing considerable stress or anxiety. In studies, women who received hypnosis with or without medication showed a 50% or greater reduction in hot flashes. This can be especially relevant if there’s an intolerance to medication or if other therapies for hot flashes fail.
