They are more common in people who are obese, smoke, with reduced physical activity, and African American women. Chinese and Hispanic women usually experience fewer symptoms. They last around 5 years but have been reported over 20 years of menopause.

 

They are usually related to estrogen withdrawal, which causes a thermoregulatory dysfunction at the hypothalamus level and inappropriate peripheral vasodilation. Perspiration is a rapid heat loss mechanism that lowers the core body temperature.

 

Hot flashes typically begin as a sudden sensation of heat centered in the upper chest and face that rapidly becomes generalized and lasts 2-4 minutes. They are usually followed by profuse perspiration and sometimes palpitations.

 

Estrogen therapies restore the thermoneutral zone and largely abolish these symptoms. Some antidepressive and anti-epileptic have shown some help as well. Consult your doctor to evaluate the best treatment; don’t suffer alone.