Hot flushed face in the evening

[thingswelostinthefire]

Basically at around 7pm my nose and cheeks become hot and flushed for a couple of hours and then it slowly dies off. I can cool it with a damp flannel or sit in front of a fan.

Does anyone else get this? I’ve no idea if it’s menopause related but it’s started at roughly the same time as my other symptoms. It’s really pissing me off 😂

Do you take ADHD meds? (Or any other meds?) Because I'm trying to work out if me getting this is perimenopause or medication side effect.

I do take Venlafaxine but I started that last November and this has only started recently, although I suppose there could be a connection.

It's a hot flush and peri -menopausal or menopause depending on your periods.

Are you on SSRIs because of anxiety or low mood?

If so and you have other symptoms, the medical advice is HRT, not SSRIs.

(Ignore if this is not how you are!)

Noticing the time you posted- are you in the UK as treatment for menopause varies in other countries.

I’m on an SNRI for chronic anxiety and depression. The SSRI I’d been on previously was no longer effective. I’ve been on antidepressants long term not for perimenopause symptoms.

I’m also on 2 pumps of gel nightly and progesterone 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, plus pessaries for vaginal dryness.

I’m in the UK. And sleep badly 😂

Sounds as if you need to increase your gel to 3 pumps if it's not controlling your flushes.

Just for info, when I started HRT years ago, I was advised to start 1 pump. I did that and it worked really well, except by the evening / bed time I was overheating again.

It's also worth knowing that anxiety and depression can start when hormones drop as early as late 30s in some women, and can respond to HRT rather than SSRIs.

Do you consume any alcohol in the evening? Alcohol can flush your face.

Yes, this sounds like me. I got rosacea as a free gift with menopause. I get spells where my face burns and goes flushed for a couple of hours, always in the evenings. I have redness all the time now (without the heat) but thankfully not the acne. Mention it to your GP, asking if it could be rosacea. If it is, there are lots of options to treat it, it's just trial and error.

I WFH and my nose goes bright red most evenings around 6pm to welcome my husband home. Accurate picture of me --> 🤡

(I have rosacea.)

I understand you’re a huge advocate for HRT but in my case I’ve been on antidepressants since I was a teenager. Therefore your last statement isn’t applicable.

I’ll give my GP a call and discuss upping to 3 pumps.

No, I don’t drink alcohol at all.

I’ve always had a slightly flushed look which has never bothered me, but this is proper redness and burning and it’s horrible!

Not being an advocate, just repeating the medical advice including NICE guidance. Obviously it doesn't apply to your circumstances. No idea you'd been on meds since being a teenager.
Good luck with the GP .

I would say you are an advocate and there’s nothing wrong with that. It just doesn’t always apply🤷🏻‍♀️

Could be histamine related. Histamine spikes in the evening, and if you're sensitive it can cause flushing. Happens to me a lot. Even worse if i've had food high in histamine for dinner.

That's just like me, I always blushed easily and had rosy cheeks. I always think of my face as stinging when I get burning spells, it's really sore and feels horrible. It affects my right ear too. The best thing is a little fan blowing on my face.

Have you found anything that helps? I find nothing topical has made much difference. I have had IPL treatment and that's definitely made a big improvement. Unfortunately it's expensive.

Unfortunately not, nothing works reliably for me so I just have to wait it out until it fades a bit. I'm interested to hear more about the IPL - does it make a permanent difference?

Yes, I used to need a thick concealer on my cheeks and nose. I had diathermy on my broken veins and then one session of IPL on my nose and cheeks and after it calmed down (about a week) I just wear a powder foundation that isn't very thick. It was November when I had it and the redness came back a tiny bit over winter (always my worst time) but nothing bad. I'm going for more in April. I'd recommend it.

That's really interesting and encouraging, thank you. @Fingalscave

Someone on a other thread recommended the Twinings menopause tea and the Sainsburys menopause vitamins which contain soy isoflavanes. They do seem to have an effect for me.