Hot Flashes

Hot Flashes: What They Are, Why They Happen and How to Feel Better

Hot flashes are sudden waves of heat that you feel in your face, neck and chest. They often come with sweating and a red face. They are the most common sign of menopause. In India and the UK, people also call them hot flushes.

Please note: This page shares general health information in simple words. It is not medical advice. Every body is different, so talk to a doctor or gynaecologist before you try any treatment.

Key Facts About Hot Flashes

A hot flash usually lasts a few minutes.
Up to 8 out of 10 women get hot flashes or night sweats around menopause.
They happen because the hormone estrogen goes down and changes a lot.
Hot flashes at night are called night sweats.
For many women, frequent hot flashes go on for about 7 years.
Simple habits can help. A doctor can also suggest treatment.

What Is a Hot Flash?

A hot flash is a quick rush of heat in the upper body. It starts suddenly. It can feel like someone turned up the heat inside you.

During a hot flash you may notice:

Heat in your face, neck and chest
Red or blotchy skin
Sweating
A fast or pounding heartbeat
Feeling worried or uneasy
Feeling cold and shivery once it ends

Doctors may say "vasomotor symptoms." This means hot flashes and night sweats together.

Why Do Hot Flashes Happen?

Hot flashes happen because estrogen levels drop and go up and down during menopause.

Estrogen is a hormone. It helps many parts of the body work. One of them is the part of the brain that controls body heat. When estrogen changes, this part of the brain gets more sensitive. A small rise in body heat can make the brain think you are too hot. Your body then tries to cool down fast. Blood vessels in your skin open wide and you start to sweat. That is the hot flash.

When Do Hot Flashes Start?

Hot flashes often start in perimenopause. This is the time before your periods stop for good. Your periods may also become irregular at this time.

In India, women reach menopause at about 46 years of age on average. In many Western countries the average is about 51. So many Indian women start getting hot flashes in their early to mid 40s.

They can also start suddenly after surgery to remove both ovaries. Some cancer treatments can cause them too.

How Long Does a Hot Flash Last?

One hot flash usually lasts a few minutes. Some people get one a week. Others get several in an hour.

How Many Years Do Hot Flashes Last?

For many women, frequent hot flashes last about 7 years. A large US study called SWAN found this. Women who got them early in perimenopause often had them longer. Some had them for 10 years or more. For most women, hot flashes slowly become milder and less frequent over time.

Are Hot Flashes and Night Sweats the Same?

Yes. Night sweats are hot flashes that happen while you sleep. They can soak your clothes and wake you up. Read more in our guide to night sweats.

What Can Trigger a Hot Flash?

Some things can start a hot flash or make it worse. Common triggers are:

Spicy food
Tea, coffee and other drinks with caffeine
Hot drinks
Alcohol
Smoking
Hot weather or a warm room
Hot showers or baths
Stress and worry
Tight clothes or synthetic fabrics

Triggers are different for each person. Try keeping a simple notebook for 2 weeks. Write down when each hot flash happens and what you did just before. This can show you your own triggers.

How Can You Feel Better During a Hot Flash?

You cannot always stop a hot flash. But these simple steps can help you cool down and feel more comfortable:

Wear light, loose cotton clothes.
Dress in layers so you can take one off.
Keep a fan near you at home and at work.
Sip cold water.
Keep your bedroom cool at night.
Take slow, deep breaths when a hot flash starts.
Stay active and keep a healthy weight.
Find ways to manage stress, like walking or yoga.

Sirona Cooling Mist for Quick Comfort

A cooling spray can give your skin a quick fresh feeling during a hot flash. Sirona Cooling Mist is a 100 ml spray made for hot flashes and night sweats. It has peppermint (menthol), eucalyptus oil, aloe vera and cucumber extract. It does not contain hormones.

How to use it:

Hold the bottle about 10 to 15 cm from your skin.
Spray on your face, neck or wrists.
Let it dry on its own.

The mist cools the skin. It does not change your hormones or stop hot flashes from coming back. Test it on a small patch of skin first. Keep it away from your eyes. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using it.

What Treatments Can a Doctor Suggest?

Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is the most effective treatment for hot flashes. HRT gives your body some of the estrogen it is losing. It is not right for everyone. Your doctor will check your health and your risks first.

If you cannot take HRT or do not want to, there are non-hormonal medicines. A doctor can tell you if one of these is a good choice for you.

A type of talking therapy called CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) can also help some people cope.

Do not start any medicine or supplement without asking a doctor.

When Should You See a Doctor About Hot Flashes?

See a doctor or gynaecologist if:

Hot flashes or night sweats disturb your sleep, work or daily life.
You have a fast or pounding heartbeat that worries you.
They start before age 40.
They come with fever, weight loss you cannot explain or other new symptoms.
You are not sure if your symptoms are caused by menopause.

Other things can also cause hot flashes. Examples are thyroid problems, infections and some medicines. A doctor can find the real cause.

Not Sure If It Is Menopause?

The Sirona Menopause Test Kit is a home urine test. It checks for high levels of a hormone called FSH. High FSH can be a sign of perimenopause or menopause. The test cannot diagnose menopause on its own, so share your result with your doctor.

Related Terms

Shop menopause care: Sirona Menopause Collection

Sources

NHS. Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/
NHS. Menopause: things you can do. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/things-you-can-do/
Avis NE, et al. Duration of menopausal vasomotor symptoms over the menopause transition (SWAN). JAMA Internal Medicine, 2015. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4433164/
Ahuja M. Age of menopause and determinants of menopause age: A PAN India survey by IMS. Journal of Mid-Life Health, 2016. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5051232/
NICE. Menopause: identification and management (NG23). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23
Sirona Cooling Mist product page (ingredients and directions). https://thesirona.com/products/cooling-mist

Disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a qualified doctor. It was written by the Sirona Content Team using the trusted medical sources listed above. Always talk to your doctor or gynaecologist about your symptoms and before starting any medicine, supplement or product. If you have heavy bleeding, chest pain, trouble breathing or severe pain, get medical help right away.