The Link Between Blood Sugar and Hot Flashes

A natural, biological process, menopause occurs in all menstruating females, typically in the late 40s or early 50s, with the median age being 51.

Among the most common and noticeable symptoms associated with menopause are hot flashes, also known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS). More than 80% of women experience these hot flashes during menopause.

Hot flashes are sudden, intense sensations of heat that spread over the face, neck, and upper body. They are often accompanied by flushing, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat. Hot flashes can occur during the day or night and may last for a few seconds to several minutes. Night sweats, which are hot flashes that occur during sleep, can disrupt a woman's sleep, and contribute to feelings of fatigue and irritability.

The impact of hot flashes on a woman's quality of life can be significant. They can interfere with daily activities, disrupt sleep, and contribute to mood swings and irritability. Managing hot flashes often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medical interventions.

What causes hot flashes?

The exact cause of hot flashes during menopause is not fully understood, but hormonal changes are believed to play a significant role. As a woman approaches menopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, two key hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. These hormonal fluctuations can affect the body's temperature regulation, leading to the sudden surges of heat characteristic of hot flashes.

Another reason would be a decline in serotonin. Estrogen stimulates serotonin. As the ovaries produce less estrogen during and after menopause, it leads to a 50% decrease in serotonin, which also causes an increase in the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Norepinephrine disrupts the hypothalamus’s ability to regulate temperature.

In addition, research suggests hot flashes may have a connection to elevated sugar levels. Another study has demonstrated that hot flashes may increase the risk of developing diabetes.

Hot Flashes and Blood Sugar

Hot flashes have been associated with insulin resistance and high blood sugar. 

A study examined more than 3,000 women between the ages of 42 to 52 who were in the menopause transition. Researchers analyzed annual blood samples from the women, examining fasting glucose, insulin, and estrogen levels. The study found that hot flashes and night sweats were linked to higher levels of insulin resistance. In addition, the study found a link between higher glucose levels and hot flashes, but only to a lesser extent.

Meanwhile, other studies have shown that people experience less hot flashes after eating, and more hot flashes when blood sugar dips in between meals. The frequency of hot flashes also increased as the time in between meals increased. Maintaining a stable glucose level may help in reducing menopausal hot flashes.

A smaller study examined the severity of hot flashes in 151 women between the ages 45 to 60. The study found that the women with the most severe hot flashes had the highest fasting glucose and insulin levels compared to those who had no hot flashes, or who had mild-to-moderate episodes. In addition, the study found that hot flashes are associated with insulin resistance in postmenopausal women and that insulin resistance is dependent on the combination of leptin and adiponectin variables. We will discuss more about leptin and adiponectin in the next section.

Another study of 150,000 postmenopausal women found the link between hot flashes and night sweats with an 18% increase in type 2 diabetes risk. Further, lower concentration of estrogen in perimenopause is associated with a 47% rise in type 2 diabetes risk.

Adiponectin and Leptin

Adiponectin is a protein hormone secreted by fat tissue (adipocytes) that helps increase insulin sensitivity, regulate glucose levels, and reduce inflammation. Leptin is another hormone that is also secreted by your body fat tissue that regulates hunger by telling our brain when to stop eating – providing the sensation of feeling full. Leptin is your body’s "fullness signal”.

During menopause, adiponectin levels decline. Lower levels of adiponectin are linked with hot flashes. Meanwhile, the severity of hot flashes was associated with higher levels of leptin. High levels of leptin are also associated with insulin resistance.

However, these are just associations and do not demonstrate that lower adiponectin and higher leptin levels cause hot flashes.

Balancing Your Glucose Levels

If you are entering menopause, it would be ideal to balance your blood glucose levels to reduce hot flashes.

Balancing your glucose is critical to living a healthy life. The benefits of balancing your glucose levels go beyond reducing hot flashes. These include maximized performance, improved mood, better skin, slower aging, and weight loss.

Maximized performance and reduced energy crashes

The post-meal slump is something most of us have experienced at some point. This is because after consuming a high-carb meal, your blood glucose is elevated, which gives you a burst of energy. Your body then releases insulin to lower your blood sugar, which then causes you to feel tired. The more insulin released, the more pronounced the crash will be.

Improved mood

Blood sugar fluctuations could negatively impact your mood. Refined carbs are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream quickly. This leads to a rapid and dramatic spike in blood sugar levels, resulting in a jolt of energy and a mood uplift. The body will then secrete insulin to counter the rise in blood sugar levels. As insulin levels “catch up”, blood glucose levels will fall quickly. This creates a “crash and burn” effect associated with symptoms like fatigue and irritability.

Slower aging and better skin

Research has found that elevated blood sugar levels translate to higher levels of certain hormones such as  IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1). Unfortunately, IGF-1 has been revealed to predispose some people to acne. Higher sugar levels can also cause collagen damage due to glycation (aging). Stopping sugar spikes can help reduce glycation and mitigate its negative effects, therefore slowing down skin aging.

Weight loss

Blood sugar fluctuations could negatively impact your mood. Refined carbs are digested and absorbed into the bloodstream quickly. This leads to a rapid and dramatic spike in blood sugar levels, resulting in a jolt of energy and a mood uplift. The body will then secrete insulin to counter the rise in blood sugar levels. As insulin levels “catch up”, blood glucose levels will fall quickly. This creates a “crash and burn” effect associated with symptoms like fatigue and irritability.

If you are feeling sluggish, feel that your mood swings are affecting your work, need help to lose weight, or simply want to improve your metabolic health, NOVI can help you take the first step to understand what is affecting your glucose, and take steps to make sustained improvements through our NOVI Glucose Optimization Program. Take control and invest in a healthier you.