Hot flashes are sudden feelings of warmth that spread across the face and body. They are a common symptom of perimenopause and menopause. During a hot flash, a woman might experience some of the following:
Hot flashes can come on quickly and only last a few minutes. However, they can be very uncomfortable. Some women experience mild hot flashes while others have more severe ones that disrupt sleep and daily activities.
Hot flashes are caused by shifting hormone levels. When a woman approaches menopause, her ovaries start making less estrogen. This decrease in estrogen signals the brain to affect how the body regulates temperature.
As a result, even small increases in ambient temperature or emotional triggers can make a woman "flash". Her body will try to cool down by releasing heat via the skin. This causes flushing, sweating, and chills.
Other factors that can trigger hot flashes include:
For most women, hot flashes begin in perimenopause. This is the transition period leading up to menopause when hormone levels fluctuate erratically. Hot flashes tend to peak 1-2 years before a woman's final period. However, some women start having hot flashes earlier or later.
Hot flashes can continue after menopause too. About 25% of women experience them for more than 5 years. The duration and intensity is different for every woman. With proper treatment, bothersome hot flashes can be reduced.
Lifestyle adjustments like staying cool, avoiding triggers, lowering stress, and dressing in layers can help alleviate hot flashes. For moderate to severe symptoms, there are effective medical options too:
| Treatment | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Low-dose estrogen therapy | Estrogen supplements can reduce hot flashes by up to 80%. This is the most effective treatment. |
| Vaginal estrogen | Lower dose estrogen applied directly to the vagina can help ease vaginal dryness and hot flashes with less systemic effects. |
| Antidepressants | Certain antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs have been shown to reduce hot flash frequency by up to 60%. |
| Gabapentin | This nerve pain medication can decrease hot flash severity by about 50%. |
| Clonidine | This blood pressure medication may lessen hot flash frequency by up to 40%. |
| Bioidentical hormones | Compounded hormones that are identical to the ones naturally made by the body are a newer option. Data on safety and efficacy is limited but some women report good symptom relief. |
The caring providers at Rejuvenate Wellness can help find the right hot flash treatment for you! We offer cutting-edge bioidentical hormone therapy with compounds tailored to your individual needs.
Hot flashes are a common and often uncomfortable symptom of perimenopause and menopause. They are caused by fluctuating hormone levels, particularly estrogen, and can be triggered by various factors such as stress, caffeine, and warm environments. Treatment options range from lifestyle adjustments to hormone therapy and medications. The most effective treatment is low-dose estrogen therapy, which can reduce hot flashes by up to 80%. However, the right treatment varies from person to person. Consulting with a healthcare provider, such as those at Rejuvenate Wellness, can help determine the best approach for managing hot flashes and improving quality of life during this transitional period.