A widespread discomfort of perimenopause, hot flashes affect about 75 percent of menopausal women. These women report various experiences of the phenomenon, ranging from a glowing sensation to a burning heat, usually with some sweating, which may be particularly bad at night (night sweats). The frequency of the experience also differs greatly: some women have a few mild flashes a week for a short period, while others may experience up to 50 a day for many years. In very severe cases, they may occur 6 or 7 times in an hour.
Manu women experience hot flashes well before their last menstrual period. Initially, these are infrequent and are on the face, neck and chest only. Over time, these flashes can become more frequent, last longer, and they may continue to occur, with occasional flash-free periods, for up to five years.
What Causes a Hot Flash?
The underlying physiology is complex, but the onset of a hot flash may correspond with an increase in the level of pituitary hormone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Significant changes in levels of FSH secretion are common as menopause approaches, and they appear to be a response to the shrinking of the ovaries and decreased estrogen secretion.
The loss of estrogen itself makes the blood vessel muscles more unstable, hence the term "vasomotor instability", which is sometimes used to describe a hot flash. Other internal secretions also surge during a hoc flush. For example, there is a significant rise in the blood level of some of the adrenal hormones.
More simply stated, a hot flash occurs because the brain decides your body is overheated. During menopause, your temperature regulating system changes. Your sweat glands may work less effectively than before because lack of estrogen changes the way they are programmed. Not only do your sweat glands not cool as efficiently as before, but there also appears to be a change in beam chemistry that affects the temperature control center in the hypothalamus. The temperature set point becomes lower than normal, and this triggers a dilation of blood vessels in the skin and sweating as your body attempts to reset it's thermostat. The adjustments aren't always smooth and your body often overcompensates, hence the hot flashes.
To reduce the unpleasantness and potential severity of the experience, there are a number of self-help measures and alternative menopause treatments to try, including dietary and lifestyle changes, regular exercise, meditation and complementary therapies.
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