Understanding the Symptoms of Hot Flushes

As many as 85% of American women experience hot flushes in the years surrounding menopause, but not all of those women will experience hot flushes in the same way. Rather, there are a variety of symptoms associated with hot flushes that can manifest in some women and not other.

Common Symptoms of Hot Flushes

Hot flushes are most commonly defined by their name -a sudden flush of heat that can radiate throughout a woman's body for up to 30 seconds. Usually, the heat is isolated to a woman's head and upper body and is of a moderate intensity.

Other common symptoms of hot flushes include:

Pressure in the head
Often, women will notice a mild to moderate pressure in their head just prior to the onset of the hot flush. This pressure lets some women know that a hot flush episode is imminent.

Flushed skin
The skin on a woman's face, neck, and chest will often appear reddish and blotchy. While a woman probably won't see the redness herself, she will probably feel the heat radiating from her skin while others around her might comment that she looks flushed.

Rapid heart rate
Usually this is nothing to worry about, but if a woman experiences chest pains as well, she should see her doctor.

Perspiration
Usually this is isolated to the face and upper body and leaves women glistening after a hot flush. This effect, however, might not be appreciated and many women choose to carry tissues or blotting papers with them for a quick fix.

Chills
Though this symptom doesn't seem logical, one of the common symptoms of hot flushes is for women to feel chilly as the hot flush subsides.

Less Common Symptoms of Hot Flushes

The following symptoms of hot flushes are somewhat less common, but may still arise in many women.

Fatigue
Although hot flushes usually pass fairly quickly, some women may report feeling fatigued either before or after an episode. If this fatigue is severe or prolonged, women should talk to a doctor about other possible sources of the fatigue.

Dizziness
Occasionally, the heat of a hot flush can be intense enough for a woman to feel dizzy, as if she's stood up too fast on a hot day. This is one of the symptoms of hot flushes that is least commonly reported, but is still relatively prevalent.

More Information

Of course, if a woman experiences particularly troubling symptoms of hot flushes should discuss them with a trusted doctor immediately. Normally, however, symptoms of hot flushes are usually uncomfortable, inconvenient, and slightly embarrassing at the most. Click on the following link to learn more about hot flushes treatments.

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