Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth which are usually most intense over the face, neck and chest. They may also be accompanied by profuse sweating and rapid heartbeat, as well as a red, flushed appearance in the skin.
Hot flashes are extremely common during perimenopause and menopause, affecting up to 80% of women. They occur due to decreasing levels of the hormone estrogen. As estrogen declines, it leads to disturbance of the body's thermoregulatory nucleus in the hypothalamus, causing periods of sweating and flushed skin as the body tries to cool itself down.
Some key facts about hot flashes:
If you're experiencing frequent or severe hot flashes, there are treatment options available:
The good news is that for most women, hot flashes will eventually diminish and occur less frequently. But if they are really bothering you in the meantime, have a chat with your healthcare provider about ways to get relief. The experts at Renew Hormone Center can also help diagnose the root cause and customize a treatment plan just for you.
I hope this gives you a helpful overview on hot flashes: what they feel like, what causes them, who experiences them and how they can be managed. Let me know if you have any other questions!