Hot Flashes and Alzheimer’s Risk: What Midlife Women Need to Know
Let’s talk about something many of us have been told to just “deal with” hot flashes.
But recent research is changing the way we see them. They’re not just annoying or inconvenient. They may be a signal: one tied to your long-term brain health. Yes, I’m talking about Alzheimer’s.
Hot Flashes May Be a Clue to Alzheimer’s Risk
In 2023, a Neurology study found that women with frequent or intense hot flashes, especially at night, may have a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers used skin sensors to track actual hot flashes, and what they found was startling: more frequent hot flashes were linked to changes in the brain, including increased beta-amyloid (a protein associated with Alzheimer’s) and reduced white matter integrity【source: Neurology, 2023】.
This wasn’t about women “feeling hot.” It was about how their bodies were responding neurologically, often while they slept.
The 2024 Menopause Society Report Confirms It
The Menopause Society’s 2024 position statement emphasized this connection. They reported:
75%+ of women experience hot flashes (called vasomotor symptoms or VMS)
1 in 3 women will experience VMS for 7+ years
Persistent hot flashes are now associated with higher risks of cardiovascular and cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer’s【The Menopause Society, 2024】.
This isn’t a blip on the radar. This is a wake-up call. And it’s one we can’t afford to ignore.
Why Is This Happening?
Because menopause is not just a hormonal event. It’s a neurological transition.
Estrogen plays a critical role in brain health. It helps regulate glucose metabolism, reduce inflammation, support communication between brain cells, and protect against the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques.
When estrogen starts to decline, especially during perimenopause, your brain feels the impact. Dr. Lisa Mosconi, neuroscientist and author of The XX Brain, has shown that these brain changes start years before your last period.
That’s why you might feel brain fog, forget words, or lose focus while also sweating through your sheets.
You’re Not Imagining It. And You’re Not Alone.
If you’ve ever had a night where you’re wide awake, drenched in sweat, and feel like your brain has left the building- you’re not alone. And you're not crazy.
These are real, measurable changes happening in midlife. And while it’s hard to hear that hot flashes might be linked to something as serious as Alzheimer’s, it’s also empowering. Because knowledge = power. And midlife women deserve better information.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Brain in Midlife
Here’s where you take back control:
Track your hot flashes, especially nighttime ones. Are they happening more often than you thought?
Focus on sleep, stress, movement, and blood sugar balance. These habits support your brain’s resilience during menopause.
Talk to a provider who gets this. Not all doctors know about the neurological side of menopause.
Explore hormone therapy. The Menopause Society states that hormone therapy (HT) is safe and effective for many women under age 60 or within 10 years of menopause. HT may also help support cognitive health—but timing matters【The Menopause Society, 2024】.
And if you don’t know where to start? That’s what I’m here for.
The Bottom Line
Hot flashes aren’t just a symptom to push through. They may be early warning signs from your body: signals to pause, listen, and take action.
Your brain health matters. Your sleep matters. You matter.
Ready to support your brain and body during menopause?
Book a Midlife Mastery Clarity Session and let’s create a personalized plan that works for your real life.
