Easier hot flushes
- Published in
- Arch Intern Med 2010
- People studied
- 154
In a trial in women with overweight or obesity, a weight-loss programme improved bothersome hot flushes more than a health education programme did.
- Checked against
- PubMed 20625026
- Published in
- Arch Intern Med 2010
- Last checked
- 30 October 2026
Key takeaway
This analysis used a 6-month trial of 338 women with overweight or obesity and urine leaks. Among the 154 women bothered by hot flushes at the start, those in the weight-loss programme had about twice the odds of their flushes improving. Each 5 kg lost went with better odds of improvement.
At a glance
- Type of study
- randomised trial (analysis of a secondary outcome)
- People studied
- 154
- How long
- 6 months
- Compared with
- a structured health education programme
- Main result
- About twice the odds of hot flushes improving with the weight-loss programme.
- Strength of evidence
- Randomised trials
What this study does not show
Hot flushes were not the trial's main question, and all the women also had urine leaks. The effect became less certain once other factors were taken into account.
Results from studies in groups of people, mostly in diet and movement programmes. They cannot be promised to any one person. This information is educational and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
More on intimate health
- Better erectionsRandomised trials · Esposito et al., JAMA 2004
- Fewer urine leaksRandomised trials · Subak et al., NEJM 2009
- Easier hot flushesRandomised trials · Huang et al., Arch Intern Med 2010
- Better sexual function in womenRandomised trials · Wing et al., Diabetes Care 2013
- Higher testosteroneLong-term or observational studies · Camacho et al., Eur J Endocrinol 2013
- Fewer urine leaks in menRandomised trials · Breyer et al., J Urol 2014
The next step is a conversation, not a decision
A licensed doctor decides whether any treatment is right for you. The answer can also be no treatment.
1You fill in a short form
2We call you within 24 hours
3A paid 20-minute video consultation with a doctor
4The doctor goes through your options and decides what is right for you