There may be a link between caffeine use and certain menopause symptoms — namely, hot flashes and other symptoms related to the body's regulation of the diameter of blood vessels (vasomotor symptoms).

Research studies on caffeine and menopause symptoms generally provide conflicting results. But, in one study, researchers established a link between caffeine use and bothersome vasomotor symptoms. The researchers found that postmenopausal women who regularly drank caffeinated beverages — such as coffee, tea or soda — experienced more bothersome vasomotor symptoms than did postmenopausal women who didn't use caffeine. The same association wasn't seen in premenopausal or perimenopausal women.

If you regularly consume caffeine and you're troubled by hot flashes, you might consider cutting back on or eliminating caffeine from your diet to see if that eases your symptoms.