Coffee worsens hot flashes: Mayo clinic study

Drinking caffeine may worsen the hot flashes and night sweats that affect roughly two-thirds of women as they go through menopause, new survey data suggests.

"While these findings are preliminary, our study suggests that limiting caffeine intake may be useful for those postmenopausal women who have bothersome hot flashes and night sweats," said researcher Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of the Women's Health Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

But caffeine -- a stimulant found in coffee and colas -- appears to have a different effect on women beginning the transition into menopause (known as perimenopause). In their case, caffeine might boost their mood, memory and concentration, NewsMax Health reports.

The findings, published online July 23 in the journal Menopause, stem from a Mayo Clinic poll of more than 1,800 menopausal women conducted between 2005 and 2011. Symptoms were compared between caffeine users and nonusers.

Given that about 85 percent of Americans drink caffeine in some form on a daily basis, Faubion and her colleagues tried to ascertain to what degree the stimulant might affect the severity of hot flashes and night sweats.

Avoiding caffeine, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and adopting meditative techniques can help, Faubion said.

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