Hot Flashes

Excerpt

Hot flashes are sudden-onset, spontaneous, and episodic sensations of warmth usually felt on the chest, neck, and face immediately followed by an outbreak of sweating. They are the most common reason women seek medical care during the perimenopausal period, especially if the symptoms impair quality of life. The onset of hot flashes can be associated with perspiration, heart palpitations, headache, weakness, fatigue, faintness, and anxiety, and they can be triggered by warm environments, hot drinks, or emotional stress. Hot flashes are variable in terms of duration, severity, and frequency. Frequency and severity can increase during the transition to menopause and peak approximately one year after the final menstrual period. They can persist for six months to several years, usually decreasing in frequency and intensity over time after the final menstrual period. On average, they last less than five minutes. The average frequency varies from 10 times per day to several times per week. The mean duration is 1.2 years.