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Hypnosis can help manage hot flashes during menopause
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025

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Hypnosis sessions can help women cope with hot flashes, which are associated with hormonal changes that occur as a result of menopause. According to scientists, approximately 80% of women suffer from menopause and perimenopause symptoms.
Researchers from Indiana University conducted a randomized trial aimed at helping women suffering from hot flashes.
To solve this problem, the experts subjected the participants of the experiment to hypnosis or so-called “structured programming.”
The women who underwent hypnosis sessions followed the doctors' recommendations once a week for a month and mentally created an image of coolness, rest, or a safe haven, depending on what was closest to each of the subjects. They also received a recording from the hypnotherapist, which they were supposed to listen to every day.
The control group received a recording that contained information about the tides.
The study participants were asked to keep records and record their condition: when they felt hot flashes, how bad they felt, etc. In addition, the women wore special devices that read information from their bodies and recorded hot flashes.
Twelve weeks later, it was found that the women in the first group, who had undergone hypnosis and independently followed the doctors’ recommendations, felt much better and were much less bothered by hot flashes – on average, women experienced 75% fewer hot flashes than before the experiment. The control group showed a significantly lower result – their hot flashes were reduced by only 13%.
Devices that read information about the tides showed that the level of tides in the first group decreased by 57%, and in the control group - by 10%.
In addition, hypnosis also affected the general condition of the subjects – their sleep improved and their overall health improved.
Exactly how hypnosis helps reduce hot flashes during menopause is not entirely clear, but experts suggest that it may be due to increased functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system, which plays an important role in controlling hot flashes.