Hot flashes

What are hot flashes?

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 caused by decreasing estrogen levels.

Some key things to know about hot flashes:

• They typically last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Skin may redden like a blush and sweat may occur.


• Triggers can include stress, spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine, and warm environments.


• They can happen during the day or night and disrupt sleep. Night sweats are hot flashes happening at night.


• Most women have them for 6 months to 2 years, but they can last longer.


• Hormone therapy medications like low-dose estrogen can provide relief. Lifestyle changes like dressing in layers, avoiding triggers, and managing stress can also help.

If you're experiencing frequent or severe hot flashes, consult your doctor or clinic like Optimal Hormone Wellness Center. Their compassionate providers can walk you through all your treatment options, whether that's hormones, medications, supplements, or natural remedies. Their goal is helping you find the right solution so you can get relief from inconvenient and uncomfortable menopause symptoms.

What causes hot flashes?

Hot flashes originate in the brain's thermostat, the hypothalamus. This area regulates body temperature. Declining estrogen near menopause influences the hypothalamus and makes it less stable in controlling temperature.

Here's what happens during a hot flash:

• Blood vessels near the skin's surface dilate rapidly as the hypothalamus senses a false rise in temperature. This allows excess heat to escape.


• Heart rate speeds up to pump more blood to dilated blood vessels.


• Sweat glands release fluid to cool the body.


• Skin may redden from increased blood flow.

This heat dissipation and flushing causes the sensations of sudden warmth, sweating, and flushed skin. Changes in serotonin, norepinephrine, and endorphins may also play a role.

Treatments that can help

If hot flashes impact your daily life, various medical and lifestyle treatments can provide relief:

• Low-dose oral hormone therapy medications containing estrogen or progesterone can reduce hot flash severity by 85-90%.


• Certain antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can provide moderate relief for some women.


• Lifestyle changes like staying cool, managing stress, avoiding triggers like spicy food and alcohol, and dressing in breathable layers can help prevent or improve hot flashes.

Meet with your healthcare provider to discuss all treatment options. Keep a symptom diary to track what seems to make hot flashes better or worse. Over time, you'll discover the best personalized solutions for managing your unique menopause journey.