Hot flashes - Vivo Health

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 perimenopause and menopause. During perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen levels can disrupt the body's temperature regulation, causing hot flashes. Some key points about hot flashes include:

• Timing: Hot flashes often start in perimenopause and can continue for years into menopause. They tend to happen more at night and can disrupt sleep.
• Duration: An individual hot flash usually lasts 30 seconds to 10 minutes.
• Frequency: The number of daily hot flashes varies widely. Some women have occasional mild hot flashes, while others get them very frequently.
• Triggers: Triggers can include stress, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, warm environments, and tight clothing.

Some other facts about hot flashes:

• Not all women get them - around 75% of women do experience them in menopause transition.
• They can involve sweating, flushing, chills, and heart palpitations.
• Treatments include lifestyle changes, medications, and hormonal therapies.
• Hot flashes usually resolve by themselves over time, but it can take over 10 years. Talk to your doctor if they are really disruptive.

The exact cause of hot flashes isn't fully understood. Leading theories look at changes in circulation, metabolism, or the hypothalamus' control of body temperature. Why do hot flashes happen in menopause? The ovaries produce less estrogen, which leads to changes throughout the body. Lower estrogen is thought to affect the hypothalamus and its regulation of temperature, triggering hot flashes. If you are experiencing hot flashes and they are interfering with your life, consider seeking treatment at Vivo Health. There are treatments available that can help.