Q Since entering my 50s, my face suddenly flushes hot while my hands and feet have gotten even colder. Is this related to menopause?
A Menopausal hormonal changes are a leading cause of both hot flashes and cold hands and feet, since they disrupt the body's temperature regulation. Bringing down the risen heat and warming the lower body to restore circulation balance can make the ups and downs of menopause much more comfortable.
Detailed Answer
During menopause, declining female hormones also unsettle the autonomic nervous system that regulates body temperature, making sudden facial flushing (hot flashes) and cold hands and feet more likely to occur together. When stress and lack of sleep add to this, symptoms tend to worsen. A regular lifestyle and care that supports circulation can help, and if symptoms are severe, consulting an OB-GYN alongside treatment is also worth considering.
Our Korean Medicine Clinic's Perspective
Korean medicine views menopausal heat-cold imbalance as "a weakening of the regulation connecting upper and lower body, so that heat rises while the lower body cools." At Dongjedang, we focus on bringing down the risen heat, warming the lower abdomen and legs, and replenishing what is deficient, to restore the upper-lower balance disrupted by menopause.
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