What physiological changes cause hot flashes in men?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Hot flashes in men are typically caused by a drop in testosterone levels, which disrupts the hypothalamus—the brain's temperature-regulating center. Common triggers include andropause (age-related testosterone decline), androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, hypogonadism, and certain medications. Symptoms often include sudden warmth, sweating, flushing, and rapid heartbeat. Because hot flashes in men can signal an underlying hormonal imbalance or serious medical condition, evaluation by a doctor is strongly recommended.

Not sure what's driving your symptoms or whether you need to see a doctor? Understanding the cause is the first step toward relief. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights based on your specific symptoms and health history. It only takes a few minutes, requires no sign-up, and can help you make informed decisions about your next steps—whether that's scheduling a doctor's visit, identifying possible causes, or simply gaining peace of mind.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Explanation

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. If you're experiencing hot flashes or other concerning symptoms, you can check your symptoms with a free AI-powered tool to better understand what might be causing them and when to seek medical care.

(References)

Updated 2022 Dec 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539827/
Spetz AC, Zetterlund EL, Varenhorst E, Hammar M. Incidence and management of hot flashes in prostate cancer. J Support Oncol. 2003 Nov-Dec;1(4):263-6, 269-70, 272-3; discussion 267-8, 271-2. PMID: 15334868.
Mohile SG, Mustian K, Bylow K, Hall W, Dale W. Management of complications of androgen deprivation therapy in the older man. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2009 Jun;70(3):235-55. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2008.09.004. Epub 2008 Oct 25. PMID: 18952456; PMCID: PMC3074615.

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