Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth spreading through the body, often most pronounced in the face, neck, and chest. They are a common symptom of menopause, occurring in up to 80% of women as they approach and experience menopause.
What causes hot flashes?
Hot flashes are caused by decreasing levels of the female sex hormone estrogen as women go through menopause. Estrogen helps regulate body temperature, so declining levels can lead to hot flashes. Specifically, diminishing estrogen appears to affect the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that regulates body temperature.
When do they occur?
Hot flashes most commonly occur in women around the ages of 45-55 as they approach menopause. However, they can occur earlier or later. Things that may trigger hot flashes include stress, spicy foods, warm environments, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking cigarettes.
Some women only experience mild hot flashes, while others have more severe, frequent flashes that interfere with daily life. Hot flashes often last from 30 seconds up to 10 minutes.
What are the symptoms?
- Sudden feeling of warmth spreading through the upper body and face
- Flushing, redness in face/neck/chest
- Sweating
- Chills
- Palpitations
- Anxiety
Some women also report accompanying nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, or irregular heart beats from hot flashes. Night sweats are classified as severe hot flashes occurring during sleep.
How are hot flashes treated?
Some options for relieving hot flashes include:
- Hormone therapy - Estrogen therapy is effective, but there are risks to consider. Low-dose options may be available.
- Staying cool - Shed layers, use fans, keep the room temperature low. Avoid triggers like caffeine and alcohol.
- Alternative therapies - Acupuncture, black cohosh, dietary soy have mixed results in studies.
- Prescription medications - Low doses of antidepressants and blood pressure drugs may help for some women.
Most women find that hot flashes gradually decrease and resolve over time without needing treatment. Making lifestyle adjustments to stay cool and minimize triggers can provide relief. For severe, disruptive flashes, hormone therapy is considered the most effective option to provide relief. Consult your doctor at Vibrance Health to weigh the risks and benefits of each treatment approach.