Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth spreading through the body and face. They can cause sweating and reddening of the skin. Hot flashes are a common symptom of perimenopause and menopause, which mark the time leading up to and after a woman's final menstrual period.
What causes hot flashes?
Hot flashes are caused by decreasing levels of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. As women approach menopause, their ovaries gradually produce less of these hormones. The fluctuating and dropping estrogen and progesterone levels affect the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates body temperature. This triggers hot flashes.
Things that can trigger hot flashes include:
Hot flash symptoms
The intensity of hot flashes varies widely. Common sensations include:
A hot flash can last from a few seconds to several minutes. The frequency ranges from a few times a week to over a dozen times a day.
Managing hot flashes
Lifestyle adjustments may help ease hot flashes:
Medical treatments
If lifestyle changes don't provide enough relief, talk to your doctor about medical options like:
I hope this overview on hot flashes was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.