Can heat trigger more heat? Why Bonfire Night can trigger hot flushes

You're standing in a muddy field in your warmest coat. A bonfire is roaring a few metres away, there's a mulled wine in your hand, and someone has just set off a rocket that made everyone jump.

Then it starts. That familiar rush of heat rising through your chest and into your face. The prickle at your hairline. The sudden urge to remove every layer you're wearing, despite the freezing November air.

Sound familiar?

Bonfire Night brings together several things that can make hot flushes more noticeable during perimenopause and menopause. Radiant heat, alcohol, heavy winter clothing and abrupt changes in temperature can all contribute to feeling overheated.

But why does the body sometimes react so dramatically to relatively small changes in temperature? And could understanding the science help you manage those uncomfortable moments?

In short: Can heat trigger a menopausal hot flush?

Yes, external warmth can trigger or intensify hot flushes for some women, although not everyone experiences the same triggers. During perimenopause and menopause, changes in oestrogen affect the brain's temperature-regulation pathways. This can make the body's cooling response unusually sensitive to small changes in core temperature.

The result can be a sudden sensation of heat, skin flushing, sweating and sometimes a racing heartbeat.

Bonfire Night doesn't cause menopausal hot flushes, but it can bring several potential triggers together in one evening.

• External warmth and heavy clothing can make temperature regulation more challenging.
• Alcohol, hot drinks and spicy foods may aggravate symptoms in some women.
• Stress and changes in routine can affect how symptoms are experienced.
• Understanding your personal triggers can help you make more informed choices.

Why menopause changes the way your brain responds to heat

We often describe a hot flush as the body suddenly overheating. But the science is considerably more interesting than that.

Deep within the brain sits the hypothalamus, a small but important structure responsible for regulating processes including body temperature, hunger, thirst and hormone signalling.

Think of it as your internal thermostat.

Normally, your body can tolerate modest changes in core temperature without triggering an obvious cooling response.

During perimenopause and menopause, however, fluctuating and declining oestrogen levels affect how this temperature-control system operates.

The role of KNDy neurons and neurokinin B

Research has identified a group of nerve cells within the hypothalamus known as KNDy neurons. These neurons are involved in reproductive hormone regulation and communicate with pathways responsible for controlling body temperature.

As oestrogen levels decline, signalling involving a chemical messenger called neurokinin B can increase.

Neurokinin B acts on receptors involved in the body's temperature-control system. Increased activity in this pathway is thought to contribute to the exaggerated heat-loss response associated with menopausal hot flushes.

In practical terms, the range of core temperatures that the body can comfortably tolerate becomes narrower.

A relatively small increase in core temperature can be enough to activate the body's cooling mechanisms.

Blood vessels near the surface of the skin widen, a process called vasodilation. Blood flow to the skin increases, sweating begins and you experience that familiar surge of heat, often spreading across the chest, neck and face.

The surprising part? Your body doesn't necessarily need to be particularly hot for a hot flush to occur. It's the way your brain responds to temperature signals that has changed.

This helps explain why hot flushes can happen in the middle of winter, while sitting perfectly still, or even during sleep.

For a broader look at what's happening in your body, explore our practical guide to hot flushes during perimenopause.

Why Bonfire Night can be a perfect storm for hot flushes

Understanding the body's changing thermostat helps explain why an evening around the bonfire can feel particularly uncomfortable.

It's worth remembering that triggers vary between individuals. Not every sensation of warmth is a menopausal hot flush, and not every woman will react to the same conditions.

1. The bonfire: when external heat meets a sensitive thermostat

Bonfires produce significant radiant heat, which warms exposed skin even when the surrounding air is cold.

Standing close to the flames can leave you feeling intensely warm, particularly if you're already wearing a heavy coat and scarf.

External warmth can also contribute to changes in body temperature that may trigger a hot flush in someone susceptible to them.

But there's an important distinction: feeling hot because you're standing beside a fire isn't necessarily the same thing as experiencing a menopausal hot flush.

The first is a normal response to external heat. The second involves the body's temperature-regulation pathways activating a more pronounced cooling response.

For some women, the two sensations can overlap.

2. Mulled wine: why alcohol can complicate things

Mulled wine might be a Bonfire Night tradition, but alcohol can affect the body's circulation and temperature regulation.

Alcohol can cause blood vessels near the skin to widen, producing a sensation of warmth and facial flushing.

Some women also report that drinking alcohol makes their menopausal hot flushes or night sweats more noticeable.

However, research into the relationship between alcohol consumption and menopausal hot flushes is mixed. Alcohol isn't a consistent trigger for everyone, and alcohol-induced facial flushing isn't necessarily a menopausal hot flush.

Mulled wine introduces other potential factors: it's served hot and often contains warming spices, both of which some women identify as triggers.

The most useful approach is to notice your own response. If you regularly experience more symptoms after drinking alcohol, reducing your intake or choosing an alcohol-free alternative may help.

Discover more in our article on why alcohol tolerance can change during perimenopause.

3. Winter layers and sudden changes in temperature

Cold November evenings call for thick coats, scarves and warm jumpers.

But while insulating layers help conserve heat, they can also make it harder to release it when you're standing beside a roaring fire.

Then there's the transition indoors.

Moving from a cold garden or field into a centrally heated house can create an abrupt change in the temperature around you.

For someone who is particularly sensitive to warmth, this may increase discomfort or contribute to the conditions that trigger a flush.

Choosing layers that can be removed easily gives you more control as your surroundings change.

4. Fireworks, stress and the body's alarm response

A sudden firework, a crowded event or an unexpected loud noise can activate the body's sympathetic nervous system, commonly described as the fight-or-flight response.

This can cause changes in heart rate, breathing and the sensation of warmth.

Stress and anxiety are also commonly reported alongside troublesome menopausal hot flushes, although the relationship is complex and doesn't mean that stress causes every flush.

For women already experiencing vasomotor symptoms, a busy or stressful evening may make those sensations more difficult to manage.

Five practical ways to keep your cool this Bonfire Night

Understanding the science is useful, but you don't need to spend the evening analysing your hypothalamus.

A few simple adjustments may make it easier to stay comfortable.

1. Choose layers you can adjust. Instead of relying on one heavy coat, wear lighter layers that can be removed or opened easily when you feel warm.
2. Give the bonfire some space. If radiant heat makes you uncomfortable, move further back from the flames and see whether you feel better.
3. Pay attention to your drinks. If alcohol or hot drinks tend to trigger symptoms, consider alternating with water or choosing an alcohol-free alternative served at a comfortable temperature.
4. Think about the transition indoors. Take off a layer when you move from cold outdoor air into a heated room, rather than waiting until you feel overheated.
5. Manage the discomfort, not just the temperature. If a flush starts, find a cooler spot, loosen clothing and breathe comfortably. Menopause-specific cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can also help women manage the impact of troublesome hot flushes, although a particular breathing technique shouldn't be considered an instant cure.

These measures are designed to help with comfort and individual triggers. They aren't substitutes for medical treatment when menopausal symptoms are persistent or severe.

Three alcohol-free Bonfire Night drinks

There's something wonderful about wrapping your hands around a warm mug on a cold November evening.

And choosing an alcohol-free drink doesn't mean missing out on the flavours of the season.

These three recipes offer an alternative to traditional mulled wine. If hot drinks are one of your triggers, allow them to cool to a comfortable temperature before drinking.

1. Warm Montmorency cherry punch

Deep red, gently spiced and wonderfully autumnal.

Serves four

Ingredients:

• 750ml Montmorency cherry juice
• 250ml cloudy apple juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 strips of orange peel
• 2 cloves

Method: Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and warm gently for approximately 10 minutes without boiling. Remove from the heat, allow the flavours to infuse for another five minutes, then strain and serve warm.

Did you know? Montmorency cherry is also one of the botanical ingredients included in Better Night.

2. Chamomile and lemon balm toddy

A fragrant, caffeine-free alternative to a traditional hot toddy.

Serves four

Ingredients:

• 4 chamomile tea bags
• A small handful of fresh lemon balm leaves, or 2 teaspoons dried
• 1 litre hot water
• Honey to taste
• Lemon slices to serve

Method: Steep the chamomile and lemon balm in hot water for approximately five minutes. Strain, add a little honey if desired and finish with a slice of lemon. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Chamomile and lemon balm are also included in the Better Night formulation.

3. Sparkler spritz

Refreshing, vibrant and ideal for when you come back indoors.

Serves four

Ingredients:

• 200ml pomegranate juice
• 600ml sparkling water
• Juice of 1 lime
• Ice
• 4 rosemary sprigs

Method: Divide the pomegranate and lime juice between four glasses filled with ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish each glass with rosemary.

When the fireworks are over: hot flushes, night sweats and sleep

For some women, hot flushes aren't confined to waking hours.

When episodes of excessive sweating happen during sleep, they're commonly described as night sweats.

These symptoms can disrupt sleep, sometimes causing repeated awakenings and leaving you feeling tired or less refreshed the following morning.

While the underlying mechanisms of night sweats and daytime hot flushes overlap, sleep disturbance during menopause can also involve other factors.

Keeping your bedroom comfortably cool, using breathable bedding and maintaining a regular wind-down routine may help you manage the night more comfortably.

A little support for your evening routine

Creating time to unwind can be a valuable part of your evening wellbeing routine.

Better Night has been developed with a combination of ingredients including KSM-66 ashwagandha, Affron saffron, magnesium, Montmorency cherry, lemon balm and chamomile, alongside selected vitamins.

Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue, while vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.

Better Night is not a treatment for hot flushes or night sweats, and should not replace medical assessment or prescribed treatment.

Discover Better Night

What does the latest science mean for menopause treatment?

One of the most exciting developments in menopause research is that understanding the brain's temperature-regulation pathways has helped scientists develop new approaches to treating hot flushes.

The discovery of the role played by neurokinin B has contributed to the development of medicines that act on neurokinin 3 receptors, interrupting signalling involved in menopausal vasomotor symptoms.

One example is fezolinetant, a non-hormonal prescription medicine that targets this pathway.

In March 2026, NICE recommended fezolinetant as an option for moderate to severe menopausal vasomotor symptoms when hormone replacement therapy is unsuitable.

HRT remains an established and recommended treatment for menopausal hot flushes and night sweats. Menopause-specific CBT is also recommended as an option, either alongside HRT or for those who cannot or prefer not to take it.

These developments demonstrate how understanding the biological mechanisms behind hot flushes can lead to more targeted treatment choices.

If hot flushes or night sweats are interfering with your sleep, work, relationships or quality of life, speak to your GP or an appropriately qualified menopause healthcare professional about your options.

Frequently asked questions about heat and menopausal hot flushes

Can external heat trigger a menopausal hot flush?

Yes, external warmth may trigger or intensify hot flushes in some women. During perimenopause and menopause, changes in the brain's temperature-regulation system can make small changes in core temperature more likely to activate sweating and flushing. However, not every episode of feeling hot is a menopausal hot flush.

Why do I get hot flushes when it's cold outside?

Hot flushes originate from changes in the body's internal temperature-regulation pathways, rather than simply from the temperature around you. They can therefore occur in cold weather, indoors or even during sleep.

Does alcohol make menopausal hot flushes worse?

Alcohol can cause blood vessels to widen and some women report more flushing or night sweats after drinking. However, research findings are mixed and alcohol isn't a trigger for everyone. Recognising your individual response can help you make informed choices.

Why does my face suddenly become hot and red during menopause?

During a menopausal hot flush, blood vessels near the skin widen to help release heat. This increases blood flow to areas such as the face, neck and chest, producing warmth and visible flushing. Sweating may follow as part of the body's cooling response.

What are KNDy neurons and why are they important?

KNDy neurons are nerve cells within the hypothalamus that help regulate reproductive hormone signalling and influence temperature-control pathways. Changes in their activity as oestrogen declines are thought to contribute to menopausal hot flushes. Research into this pathway has helped support the development of non-hormonal treatments.

Can Better Night help stop hot flushes?

Better Night is an evening wellbeing supplement, not a treatment for hot flushes or night sweats. If vasomotor symptoms are affecting your daily life, speak to a healthcare professional about evidence-based treatment options.

The bottom line

So, can heat trigger more heat?

For some women navigating perimenopause and menopause, yes. A roaring bonfire, a glass of mulled wine and a sudden change in temperature may all contribute to feeling overheated or experiencing a hot flush.

But the real story isn't simply about the temperature outside.

It's about the remarkable way changes in oestrogen influence the brain's internal thermostat, and how that can change your body's response to even small shifts in temperature.

Understanding what's happening in your body gives you more confidence to recognise your individual triggers, make informed decisions and seek support when you need it.

And importantly, it means you can still enjoy the fireworks.

This article is intended for general information and education. It does not replace individual medical advice.