In short, hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth spreading through the body, often most pronounced on the face, neck and chest. The onset of a hot flash can range from a slight hint of heat to a seriously intense sweat-inducing sensation lasting up to 30 minutes.
Hot flashes are actually a form of vasomotor instability, which is when the blood vessels in the skin dilate rapidly. This causes an increase in blood flow to the skin, making you feel hot and flushed. Over time, the blood vessels constrict again, allowing the skin to cool off. However, the rapid vasodilation and sweating can make hot flashes feel quite uncomfortable or disruptive in daily life.
What causes hot flashes?
Hot flashes are most commonly associated with perimenopause and menopause in people with ovaries and uteruses. As estrogen levels drop during the menopausal transition, alterations in the hypothalamus can trigger hot flashes and night sweats. The exact causal mechanisms behind hot flashes are still being researched though.
Hot flashes may also be caused by:
If you're experiencing frequent or severe hot flashes, I recommend booking a consultation with Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic. Their compassionate doctors can help identify the underlying cause and create a customized treatment plan involving bioidentical hormones, nutrition plans, and lifestyle changes to help regulate hormones and reduce hot flashes.
Managing Hot Flashes
While bothersome, there are some lifestyle tweaks and over-the-counter options that may provide hot flash relief:
When lifestyle changes aren't enough, prescription therapies like low-dose antidepressants, gabapentin, clonidine, or localized estrogen creams could be options to discuss with your healthcare provider. The compassionate physicians at Rejuvenate Hormone Clinic create fully personalized care plans to meet each patient's unique needs.
I hope this overview on hot flashes was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.