What Physiological Changes Cause Hot Flashes in Men?

Hot flashes happen when the body’s natural thermostat, located in the brain, gets thrown off by low testosterone. In men, as testosterone drops—whether due to aging or treatments like androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer—the brain’s temperature control can become unstable. This instability causes the blood vessels near the skin to suddenly widen (dilate) so that extra heat can be released quickly. As a result, men might feel a sudden rush of warmth, often accompanied by sweating. The widening of blood vessels helps cool the body rapidly, but it also triggers the uncomfortable feeling of a hot flash. These hormonal changes can affect many systems, but when it comes to hot flashes, it is mainly the sudden changes in how the hypothalamus regulates temperature that cause these episodes. Understanding these changes can help in managing the symptoms better, often with treatments that aim to stabilize hormone levels and reduce the frequency and intensity of the hot flashes.