Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth that spread across the body and face. They can cause flushing or reddening of the skin as blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate.
Hot flashes are primarily caused by decreasing estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause. As estrogen production slows down, the body's thermoregulatory nucleus located in the hypothalamus becomes more sensitive to small changes in temperature. When the body detects a slight increase in core body temperature, the hot flash begins as a compensatory mechanism to cool the body down.
Some other factors that can trigger hot flashes include:
The most common hot flash symptoms include:
A hot flash can last from 30 seconds to several minutes. The frequency varies from person to person. Some women have hot flashes sporadically while others can have them multiple times an hour.
Some tips to help deal with hot flashes include:
If hot flashes are severe and interfering with daily life, it's best to speak to a doctor at Revive Hormones about treatment options. They may suggest prescription medications or lifestyle changes to find relief. Tracking hot flash frequency and severity can also help assess if treatments are working.