IF HOT FLASHES HIT OUT OF NOWHERE
Sudden hot flashes? Why, and what to expect
It can feel sudden. MedlinePlus ties it to hormone changes. The NHS says menopause symptoms overall usually last 7 to 9 years, and hot flashes may ease over time.
WHY NOW
Your hormones are shifting
In the lead-up to menopause, the ovaries make less estrogen and progesterone. MedlinePlus says those hormone changes are what cause symptoms like hot flashes.
WHAT YOU'RE FEELING
What a hot flash is
- A sudden warm feeling in the face, neck and chest
- Sweating can come with it
- At night, it's called night sweats
- The NHS says it can also bring palpitations, anxiety or dizziness
IS THIS NORMAL?
Everyone's version looks different
The NHS says perimenopause and menopause are different for everyone. Some women have symptoms that disrupt daily life. Others notice hardly any.
HOW LONG SYMPTOMS LAST
7 to 9 years
The NHS says menopause symptoms overall usually last this long, sometimes longer, and they can change over time. It says a single hot flash can last several minutes, and hot flashes may ease while other symptoms take their place.
WHEN THEY FLARE
What can make them worse
- MedlinePlus says alcohol, spicy foods and caffeine can make symptoms worse
- It also says carrying extra weight can make hot flashes worse
Bring this to your appointment
Questions for your doctor
- Could my hot flashes be linked to perimenopause?
- What are my options if they keep disrupting my days?
- Does a racing heartbeat with them need a check?
As slides
Sources
- MedlinePlus: medlineplus.gov/menopause.html
- NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/
General information, not medical advice.