What Are They?

The so-called hot flashes are waves of warmth in the body that arrive unexpectedly, often in the middle of the night. They typically start around the neck or head areas and radiate downwards, creating a feeling that the body temperature is raised. Profuse sweating often occurs because of this sudden rise in temperature. But after a period ranging from 30 seconds to several minutes, the flash is over, and the body returns to feeling normal.

The condition can manifest itself anywhere from perimenopause (the precursor to full menopause, which strikes some women in their mid-30s) to actual menopause.

To treat hot flashes and help with the challenges wrought by perimenopause and menopause symptoms, many doctors institute a regimen of hormone therapy, including estrogen doses. But some women can’t tolerate additional estrogen in their system, so some medical professionals offer other ways to help their patients deal with the consequences of the changes.

Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause is the result of decreased hormonal activity in the ovaries.

When the condition manifests, some women start to experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness that causes occasionally painful sexual intercourse and night sweats, which are hot flashes that occur in when the woman is in a deep sleep, as with Sarah’s episode.

There may also be confusion, memory issues, urinary incontinence, stiff joints, fatigue, mood swings, depression, anxiety, irritability and periods that may become irregular or missed entirely.