Advice to ease menopausal symptoms by wearing cooler clothing or avoiding exercise may need a rethink, with findings showing small rises in core temperature are unlikely to trigger hot flushes, according to new research.

Just half of spontaneous hot flushes observed in the study follow a core-temperature increase, UK researchers report in Menopause.

“It is possible that increases in core temperature per se do not accurately explain the trigger for a hot flush,” the authors write.

“This information is important given that the current understanding regarding increases in core temperature triggering hot flushes has contributed to recommendations for postmenopausal women to avoid situations of environmental heat stress, including to dress appropriately, and to avoid exercise.”