How to keep cool and comfortable if you get hot flushes
Posted by Claire Hewitt, on May 28, 2025. Tags: Health benefits, Menopause, Wellbeing
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s)
If you’re in perimenopause or full-blown menopause, you’ll know the feeling: it starts from your toes and slowly creeps up your body, an uncontrollable heat that turns your face red and leaves you sweating. Hot flushes can be annoying, inconvenient and occasionally embarrassing (why right in the middle of a work presentation?), but it’s one of the most common symptoms of menopause.
Around one in eight women in menopause experience hot flushes so you are most definitely not the only one going through it right now. But you also don’t have to just ‘put up’ with it: help is at hand.
Can you stop hot flushes?
As oestrogen declines during perimenopause, this can cause a number of symptoms including hot flushes – flashes of heat that can strike at any time of day or night (when they’re more commonly called ‘night sweats’) and can last a few minutes at a time. During menopause it’s unlikely that anything can completely stop hot flushes, but the severity or frequency may be reduced with some treatments and techniques.
Speak to your doctor about HRT (hormone replacement therapy) – this is a gamechanger for many women (although not all), and may help ease hot flushes along with other symptoms of menopause.
If you’re interested in natural remedies, some botanicals have shown promise in clinical studies. Swiss researchers discovered that women taking a daily tablet of fresh sage leaves experienced a reduction in hot flushes by 50% in four weeks, rising to a 64% reduction after eight weeks of continual use.
Also, eating soy food, which mimics the effects of oestrogen in the body has been shown to reduce hot flushes and night sweats. A 2015 meta-analysis concluded that soy, alongside other phytoestrogens, could reduce the frequency of hot flushes by 11%. Add soy-based foods such as tofu, tempeh, edamame and miso to your regular diet and see if you notice any improvements after around three months.
4 ways to stay comfortable with hot flushes
Alongside reducing them, we’ve sometimes just gotta live with them. So, what are the best ways to keep your cool and stay comfortable when a hot flush could strike at any moment?
Keep your bra in the fridge
Alongside the milk, cheese and last night’s leftovers is…your bra? As the weather heats up, you don’t have to be suffering from hot flushes to feel the joy of slipping on a nice cool bra before a day at work. Just remember to keep it protected in a freezer bag, and follow the standard washing and care instructions on the label before and after wearing.
Wear breathable fabrics
Soft cotton, linen and bamboo-based fabrics will allow your skin to breath, keeping you cool when you feel the sweats coming on. Bamboo also has antibacterial properties, so you don’t have to worry about odours. You may think sports bras made with synthetic fabric are too warm for hot flushes, but check the label. Many sports bras (including our super popular Aerocool) are made with sweat-wicking performance fabric which helps keep the skin cool.
Aerocool
High impact sports bra with moisture wicking fabric.
Mia
Super soft organic cotton lounge bra.
Grace
Best-selling, high cotton content support bra.
Pop in an icy insert and dust with powder
Many Royce bras are pocketed to hold a prosthesis – why not use this to help cool you down? We also stock Evenly Bra BalancersTM – silicon bra inserts that can even out asymmetrical breasts for a smoother shape. Pop them in the fridge for an instant cooler. Remember to take care of them by avoiding sharp objects – wrapping them in a tea towel can help.
Goodbye under-boob sweat
As for that under-boob clamminess, apply a liberal dose of Evenly’s dusting powder. This 100% natural clay-based powder is hypoallergenic, suitable for vegans, and great at absorbing sweat to keep your skin soft and dry. As for that under-boob clamminess, apply a liberal dose of Evenly’s dusting powder. This 100% natural clay-based powder is hypoallergenic, suitable for vegans, and great at absorbing sweat to keep your skin soft and dry.
Don’t apologise
Getting flustered and embarrassed can often make a hot flush worse. When you feel one creeping on, stay calm and breath deeply to help reduce stress and anxiety. If you’re at work, you can do a quick breathing exercise at your desk. ‘Box breath’ is a popular one: inhale for a count of four; hold for four; exhale for four; hold for four, then repeat.
Above all, don’t believe you should hide away. If you feel comfortable enough in public (and let’s hope you do), explain to others what’s happening, tell them that you need five minutes, make a joke of it, and (like our latest model Marriane does at work) whip out the fan!
Are you experiencing hot flushes? How is it for you? Share your best (and worst) hot flush stories, or ask other women for their tips on our socials using hashtag #MenoWithRoyce.
Best bras for the menopause journey
If you’re struggling with hot flushes, aching joints and poor sleep, the last thing you need is an uncomfortable bra! Take your pick of our comfort and post-surgery bras including features such as breathable cotton to keep you cool, adjustable sizing to fit your changing body, and smooth shaping to provide beautiful comfort all day long.
