A True Hot Flash
A true hot flash will gradually radiate until it feels like the entire body temperature has been raised. It will usually be accompanied by sweating and, in some cases, skin redness. A hot flash typically lasts 30 seconds to several minutes, and then the body temperature will go back to normal.
While hot flashes are among the more prominent signs of menopause or perimenopause, they don’t happen in a vacuum. Consider whether other menopausal issues have emerged -- irregular periods, vaginal dryness, concentration problems, an increase in irritability or the onset of depression. These circumstances will provide clues as to whether the hot flash was hormonal or something else.
Potential Causes of Hot Flashes
When a woman experiences what she believes is a hot flash, she should consider the circumstances of her surroundings and the onset of the symptoms. Despite the obvious correlation to menopause, not every hot flash is caused by menopausal hormone changes. In fact, men can experience a hot flash, which underlines that the body’s thermal regulation processes are complex and not totally related to hormones.
When you have a hot flash, keep these guidelines in mind when considering whether or not you’ve experienced something related to hormones, are sick or coming down with something, or are merely just hot.