In a pilot study announced by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), researchers observed 40 overweight or obese women who had been experiencing at least four hot flashes per day and found that the problem faded along with the extra pounds they lost.

Hot flashes affect 70 per cent of women during menopause for as long as nine years and can reduce quality of life, interrupting sleep and causing mood swings.

The test group, which saw a 63 per cent reduction in hot flashes, was subjected to a behavioural weight loss intervention in which participants lost nearly 20 pounds on average.

The control group was told they were on a waiting list for intervention and did not lose any weight, although they saw a 28 per cent reduction of hot flashes.

The aforementioned behavioural weight loss method is defined as a regime intended for acute weight loss and permanent behavioural change, with an eye to maintaining one's goal weight once reached.

"This is encouraging news for women looking for relief for this bothersome midlife symptom," says NAMS Executive Director Margery Gass, MD. "Not only might behaviour weight loss provide a safe, effective remedy for many women, but it also encourages a health-promoting behaviour."

While such weight-loss methods are known to be difficult and their effects are reputed as being temporary, participants reported being delighted with the results.

Nearly 75 per cent of them said that the possibility of reducing their hot flashes was a major motivation factor, which could encourage them to keep off the weight.

"Since many of the women in this pilot study indicated their primary motivator for losing weight was hot-flash reduction," says Dr. Gass, "we know that this could be a strong incentive for women to engage in a healthier lifestyle which provides numerous other health benefits beyond hot-flash management."

Studies have in the past found a correlation between the amount of fat in a woman's body and hot flashes, but this is the first indication that losing weight can help.

The authors are encouraged by the results and plan to further attack hot flashes in a larger, weight-loss oriented study.

The study was published in the journal Menopause.