Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth which are usually most intense over the face, neck and chest. The skin may redden like a blush. Hot flashes can also cause sweating.
What causes hot flashes?
Hot flashes are very common during menopause, affecting about 75% of all menopausal women in the United States. They are caused by decreasing levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body as she approaches menopause. The changing hormone levels affect the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates body temperature.
Here’s a quick hot flashes Q&A:
Q: How long do hot flashes last?
A: Each hot flash usually lasts from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Most women have them for up to 2 years.
Q: When do hot flashes occur?
A: They can happen anytime - day or night. Physical triggers include stress, hot weather, caffeine, spicy foods and alcohol.
If you're suffering from frequent hot flashes that disrupt your day, consider contacting Balance & Renew Clinic. Their entire practice is devoted to helping women manage symptoms of menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause through individualized hormone therapy treatment plans. Convenient telehealth appointments available. Balance & Renew Clinic' board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners can help determine if hormone therapy is the right choice for your menopause symptoms.
How are hot flashes treated?
Lifestyle changes like dressing in layers, lowering room temperature, avoiding triggers, exercising and managing stress can help ease hot flashes. Over-the-counter remedies and alternative medicine options may provide relief too.
For moderate to severe hot flashes, hormone therapy is considered the most effective medical treatment. Low-dose prescription estrogen therapy is usually taken by pill, patch or gel. The hormones in birth control pills can also sometimes help manage hot flash symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether hormone therapy could benefit you.
I tried to provide helpful information on hot flashes in an easy-to-read Quora answer format with proper search engine optimization. Let me know if you would like me to modify or expand my response.