Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth spreading through the body, often most pronounced in the face, neck, and chest. They are a common symptom of menopause, occurring in up to 80% of women as they go through perimenopause and postmenopause.
Hot flashes are caused by decreases in estrogen during perimenopause and menopause. As the ovaries produce less estrogen, this fluctuation and decline in estrogen levels disturb the body's normal temperature regulatory mechanisms, causing hot flashes.
Specifically, decreasing estrogen levels affect the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for controlling appetite, sleep cycles, sex hormones, and body temperature. This disruption tricks the body into feeling like it's overheating, leading to sweating and rapid heartbeat as it tries to cool itself down.
Hot flashes can occur at any time, both day and night. They tend to begin in perimenopause and can last for several years into postmenopause. Each individual hot flash usually lasts from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. The frequency varies widely, from rare episodes to recurring hourly.
Some additional symptoms may include:
Some options that may provide relief include:
If hot flashes are frequent and disruptive, consult a doctor at Rejuvenate Clinic to explore treatment options. Tracking symptoms in a diary can help identify triggers and times of day when they most often occur. Be patient, as it may take some trial and error to find the best approach to manage symptoms. With time, the frequency often decreases.