Ailments and Situations - Menopause (and Related Issues) - Hot Flashes - Introduction

Also referred to as vasomotor flushes, hot flashes refer to a dilation of the peripheral blood vessels, leading to a rise in skin temperature and flushing of the skin. Hot flashes are typically experienced during the first year of the climacteric, but can continue for ten to forty years. They affect fifty to eighty-five percent of women, who feel a sensation of warmth and slight sweating, usually localized around the head and neck for a few seconds to two minutes, followed by cold chills. Ten to fifteen percent of women are significantly affected, experiencing hourly waves of heat and drenching sweats. Intense hot flushes can disrupt daily activities and lead to sleep problems and depression. Other symptoms that may occur include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, increased heart rate, and weight gain.

The cause of hot flashes is not known, but is believed to be influenced by neurotransmitter changes. Women may also experience them when anxious or tense and hot flashes may also occur during adolescence, postpartum, or premenstrual syndrome.