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 that affect up to 80% of women going through the menopausal transition.
What causes hot flashes?
Hot flashes are caused by decreasing levels of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. As women approach menopause, the ovaries start to fail and produce less of these hormones. This causes the body's thermostat (located in the hypothalamus) to become more sensitive to small changes in body temperature.
When the hypothalamus senses heat, it responds by increasing blood flow to the skin and releasing sweat to cool the body down. However, the rapid blood flow and sweating are more intense than necessary, leading to the feeling of heat we call a hot flash.
Hot flash symptoms
The main symptom is a sudden feeling of warmth spreading through the upper body and face. This is often accompanied by:
Hot flashes can last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. They may be mild and occasional or frequent and severe.
Managing hot flashes
Lifestyle changes like dressing in layers, lowering room temperature, avoiding triggers like stress and spicy foods, and practicing relaxation techniques can help ease hot flashes.
If symptoms are severe, hormone therapy medications that raise estrogen levels may be prescribed. Speak to your doctor to see if this option is suitable for you.
At Optimal Hormone Solutions, our caring medical team specializes in perimenopause and menopause care. We provide personalized treatment plans, including bioidentical hormone therapy, to help women find relief from hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Contact us today to take control of your health during this transition.