Hot flashes are probably the most recognized early symptom of perimenopause and menopause. During a hot flash, most women experience a sudden flush of heat that starts from the face and neck and spreads down to the body. It comes with excessive sweating and is sometimes followed by chills.
Hot flashes are caused by changing hormone levels during the menopause transition. Hot flashes occur when decreased estrogen levels cause changes in the hypothalamus, the body’s thermostat located in the brain. These make the body more sensitive to slight changes in body temperature. When the hypothalamus thinks your body is too warm, it starts a chain of events to cool you down, which results in a hot flash.
Hot flashes (or vasomotor symptoms) typically happen rapidly and last from one to 10 minutes. Women can experience hot flashes a few times a week or even up to 10 times a day. Because hot flashes are due to a decreased production of estrogen and occur as women approach menopause, they can be treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).