Diabetes Male Hot Flashes and Other Reasons Why Men Experience Sudden Heat

Masthead Image
Author Name: Lucas Cook
Date: Tuesday June 3, 2025

Body + Mind is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through some of the links on our site. 


If you thought hot flashes were a women-only phenomenon — surprise — men get them, too. And they’re not just a mild annoyance. For many guys, hot flashes can feel like a sudden wave of heat followed by drenching sweat, a pounding heart and a sense of “what the hell is happening to me?”

But what does it mean when you get diabetes male hot flashes or other sudden onset heat waves? And what can you do about it — short of moving into a walk-in freezer?

What Does It Mean When a Man Gets Hot Flashes?

How Hot Flashes Feel for Men

The Link Between Male Hormones and Mood

Holistic Treatment for Male Hot Flashes

What About Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Lifestyle Tips to Keep Hot Flashes in Check

When to Talk to a Doctor

More Questions About Male Hot Flashes

What Does It Mean When a Man Gets Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes in men usually point to a hormonal imbalance, specifically, low testosterone. Unlike women, who typically experience it during menopause, men tend to get their “personal summer” during andropause, aka male menopause.

There you have it — the symptoms of male menopause are real, even if they’re less talked about. Think of it as a slow hormonal decline rather than a dramatic cliff dive.

In medical speak, the most common causes of hot flashes in men include:

  • Low testosterone or hypogonadism
  • Prostate cancer, with two-thirds of men with prostate cancer experiencing it 
  • Androgen deprivation therapy, used in prostate cancer treatment
  • Late-onset hypogonadism, often tied to aging, obesity or type 2 diabetes male hot flashes

When testosterone dips too low, the hypothalamus — your body’s internal thermostat — gets confused. It thinks your body is overheating and signals blood vessels to dilate, leading to a sudden wave of heat and sweat.

But hormones aren’t the only trigger. Stress, anxiety and poor sleep can also mess with your thermoregulation and make hot flashes worse. The relationship between a decrease in testosterone, sweats and depression is well documented.

How Hot Flashes Feel for Men

The experience is more than just a little warmth. Some men also get night sweats so intense they wake up drenched, needing to change shirts or even sheets.

Symptoms of hot flashes in men include:

  • Sudden, intense warmth in the face, neck, and chest
  • Red, flushed skin
  • Sweating, sometimes profusely
  • Chills after the flash pass
  • Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
  • Irritability or anxiety
Hot flashes may influence male moods and lead to severe anger and depression.

Testosterone dips can mess with more than just your temperature. Hormones affect mood regulation, memory and energy levels. Low testosterone often goes hand in hand with anxiety, depression and brain fog — all of which can worsen or be mistaken for symptoms of hot flashes. If you’ve been feeling emotionally off in addition to suddenly getting warm, it might be hormonal, not just situational. Remember that men naturally experience a 1% decline in testosterone levels yearly. 

Holistic Treatment for Male Hot Flashes

Before jumping to synthetic hormone therapy, try these holistic treatments for male hot flashes — they focus on the root causes and overall hormone balance. Some may also improve diabetes male hot flashes by helping to regulate your blood sugar levels.

1. Clean Up Your Diet

Eat more healthy fats, such as avocado, nuts and oily fish. Cut back on sugar, alcohol and ultra-processed foods. Add zinc-rich foods like oysters and pumpkin seeds, as zinc supports testosterone production. Men need 14 mg of zinc daily, roughly three oysters, to increase testosterone levels. 

2. Move Your Body Daily

Exercise helps regulate hormones and reduce stress. It also ensures your liver and kidneys work optimally and remove waste products from your body. Aim for at least 30 minutes most days — resistance training boosts testosterone.

3. Try Stress-Busting Routines

Hot flashes and stress feed off each other. Meditation, breathwork and cold showers can help bring your nervous system back into balance.

4. Prioritize Sleep

Hormones tank when your sleep suffers. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality rest per night. Reduce screen time before bed and keep your room cool and dark.

5. Consider Adaptogens

Herbs like ashwagandha, maca, and rhodiola may help support testosterone levels and reduce stress responses. However, check with a healthcare provider before starting anything new.

6. Get Outside

Sunlight boosts vitamin D, which plays a role in testosterone production. You should get at least 600 IU of vitamin D if you’re between 19 and 70 years old, increasing it even more after that. If you’re low, a supplement might help, but test before you dose.

Weight gain can trigger diabetes male hot flashes and result in a substantial male hormone decline.

What About Hormone Replacement Therapy?

If your testosterone levels are significantly low, your provider might recommend bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). This type of therapy uses plant-derived hormones chemically identical to your body’s. BHRT isn’t for everyone. It requires regular monitoring and has potential side effects, including increased red blood cell counts, acne and fertility issues. Still, it can dramatically improve some men’s quality of life.

This therapy is available in various forms, like:

  • Creams or gels
  • Injections
  • Patches
  • Subdermal pellets

Lifestyle Tips to Keep Hot Flashes in Check

These small shifts can help you regain control, reduce discomfort and feel more like yourself again.

  • Dress in breathable, light fabrics like cotton instead of polyester.
  • Layer up so you can remove clothing when needed.
  • Use fans and cool packs at home or work.
  • Avoid known triggers like spicy food, caffeine or hot showers.
  • Stay hydrated, especially after sweating.

When to Talk to a Doctor

Hot flashes can be a clue — it’s worth checking out. You don’t need to suffer in silence or guess what’s happening. If your symptoms are frequent, severe or paired with other signs like fatigue, low libido or trouble sleeping, a hormone panel can help. Ask your provider about checking out your total and free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and estradiol levels for a complete picture.

Skin with sweat from a hot flash episode.

More Questions About Male Hot Flashes

What Causes Hot Flashes in Men?

Hot flashes in men are usually caused by low testosterone, but stress, poor sleep and some medical treatments, like androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, can also be triggers.

What Are the Symptoms of Hot Flashes in Men?

They include sudden heat in the face or chest, sweating, rapid heartbeat and sometimes chills afterward. Some men also report irritability or anxiety during episodes.

How Do You Treat and Prevent Hot Flashes in Men?

Lifestyle changes like better sleep, regular exercise, stress reduction and a hormone-balancing diet are first-line strategies. In some cases, testosterone therapy or herbal supplements may help.

At What Age Do Men Get Hot Flashes?

Most men notice symptoms between the ages of 45 and 60, and it’s often tied to gradual hormone decline. But you can start earlier if you have certain health conditions like prostate cancer or diabetes or undergo hormone-suppressing treatments.

Are Hot Flashes Related to Stress?

Stress can trigger or worsen hot flashes by raising cortisol and disrupting your hypothalamus — the part of the brain that controls body temperature.

You’re Not Alone — And You’re Not Powerless

Hot flashes aren’t a sign of weakness — they don’t mean something’s wrong with your masculinity. They’re your body’s way of flagging an internal imbalance, which you can address.

Whether it’s through holistic changes, hormone therapy or simple daily habits, relief is absolutely possible. So if your internal thermostat’s going haywire, now you know — you’re not imagining it and don’t have to sweat it out alone.

Share your journey with male hot flashes on our social channels and encourage others in their own struggles.

Previous Article6 Reasons Your Urine Is Bright Yellow Next ArticleSecond Puberty: Why Your Body’s Changing — Again — and What to Do About It
Subscribe CTA Image

Subscribers get even more tailored tips & deets delivered directly to their inboxes!