Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth spreading through the body and face. They are a common symptom of perimenopause and menopause.
Hot flashes are caused by changes in the body's hormone levels, especially estrogen. As women approach menopause, their estrogen levels become irregular and decline. This triggers the brain's thermoregulation center to incorrectly sense that the body is too hot, leading blood vessels near the skin to dilate and increase circulation. The extra blood flow causes sweating and flushing.
The main symptoms of hot flashes are:
Hot flashes can range from mild to severe. Some women only experience flushing, while others have full-body sweats that disrupt sleep. Hot flashes are most common during perimenopause and the first year of menopause.
Lifestyle changes may help ease hot flashes:
If lifestyle measures don't help, talk to your doctor about further treatment options like:
The good news about hot flashes? For most women, they tend to decrease and go away in the years after menopause. Keeping a symptom diary can help you track patterns and determine if you need extra help managing them.