MidLife
Hot flashes: why they happen?
Hot flashes, the most common of menopausal symptoms, are sudden feelings of heat that spread over the body, often accompanied by a flushed face and sweating. During a hot flash, which typically lasts from 1 to 5 minutes, the heart beats faster and blood vessels dilate causing a flush. Women may also sweat or suffer a wave of anxiety.
In the not-too-distant past, a woman was told that hot flashes were "all in her head.” We now know that these uncomfortable waves of heat are the body’s response to declining estrogen. What is still uncertain is why hot flashes last only a few months for some women, and persist for years or never occur at all for others. Some women may experience night sweats, a drenching sweat that can often disrupt sleep. While these symptoms are disruptive, they’re usually temporary. Treatments are available to help alleviate these symptoms. A woman should talk with her health care provider to determine if a replacement regimen may be right for her.
