Hot flashes in women

Hot flashes in women are one of the most common and troublesome symptoms of menopause. Often occurring suddenly they can stop women in their tracks and be a real burden in day-to-day life. If females spend time reading up on hot flashes in women and understand how to prevent and treat them, then there´s no real reason for hot flashes in women to become too problematic. Read on to find out how best to deal with hot flashes in women.

Diagnosing hot flashes in women

If you are concerned about hot flashes in women and think that you may be entering menopause then it´s a good idea to chat to a doctor who will ask your age and for information regarding your menstrual cycle. They will also ask about any other symptoms you are experiencing that could be caused by lowered estrogen levels, including painful intercourse or vaginal dryness. Your doctor will take your medical history into consideration and ask about any medication you are using because hot flashes in women are also often caused by medical or gynecological disease or by certain drugs. Generally speaking, a medical expert can confirm menopausal hot flashes by assessing your menstrual history and performing a physical examination. A blood test measuring levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which rise during menopause may also be carried out.

Hot flashes in women can also occur at night and are known as night sweats. Waking women from their sleep night sweats can lead to poor memory performance, irritability, and tiredness. The duration, intensity, and frequency of hot flashes in women varies greatly but normally, the faster a woman goes through the transition from regular menstrual periods to no periods at all, the more significant her hot flashes will be. In the three years prior to menopause, half of women will suffer from hot flashes. About 75% of women experience hot flashes during menopause.

What are hot flashes in women?

The exact mechanisms behind hot flashes in women during menopause are still unknown but it is generally accepted that the main reason for hot flashes in women is that the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that regulates heat production) goes into overdrive. Decreasing estrogen hormone levels that occur during menopause are responsible for this malfunction of the hypothalamus, which detects an increased body temperature. As a result, chemicals are released that cause the skin blood vessels to dilate so that heat can be released, leading to hot flashes in women.

Hot flashes in women, along with other common vasomotor symptoms such as dizziness and heart palpitations, tend to decrease in strength and frequency after menopause, but for some females hot flashes in women may persist for the rest of their life.

Hot flashes in women can become a difficult symptom to manage if not dealt with it appropriately. Please keep reading to learn about how to cope with hot flashes in women.

Tips for dealing with hot flashes in women

• Wear suitable clothing
• Avoid food and drinks that may prompt excessive sweating hot flashes such as alcohol, coffee, and spicy foods
• Keep your bedroom cool
• Do regular exercise
• Stop smoking
• Lose weight
• Use herbal remedies

Click on one of the links in the article below to learn more about the hot flashes treatment that is most effective.

Read more about Hot Flashes  

SOURCES:
• Journal of American Medical Association, 295: 2057 - 2071.