Hot flashes, also known as hot flushes, are sudden feelings of warmth which are usually most intense over the face, neck and chest. They may also be accompanied by profuse sweating and rapid heartbeat, as well as a red, flushed appearance in the skin.
Hot flashes are primarily associated with menopause and perimenopause in women. They occur when the blood vessels near the skin's surface dilate rapidly to cool. This produces the sudden heat sensation.
What causes hot flashes?
Hot flashes are caused by decreasing levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. As women approach menopause, the ovaries gradually produce less of these hormones. Low estrogen levels affect the body's thermostat in the brain, causing more frequent hot flashes.
Other factors that can trigger hot flashes include:
How long do hot flashes last?
For most women, hot flashes usually last from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. However, in some women, hot flashes may linger for up to an hour. Hot flashes tend to decrease over time. While they may persist for years, hot flashes will eventually taper off in most women.
Lifestyle changes and medical treatments may help reduce hot flash frequency and severity. The team at Vitality Hormone Clinic can provide personalized care plans to effectively manage menopause symptoms. Their comprehensive hormone therapy programs aim to help women feel like themselves again during this transition.
How are hot flashes treated?
Some options for treating hot flashes include:
I hope this provides a helpful overview on hot flashes - their causes, duration, and treatment options available. Let me know if you have any other questions!