Hot flashes, which are short periods when the body overheats and produces extreme temperature increases and occasional excessive sweating, are particularly troublesome for women. If they occur at night, they may result in what’s called “night sweats,” in which deep sleep is interrupted and the woman awakens in a bed dampened by sweat, an unpleasant occurrence.
Because our society places so much emphasis on youth and vitality, the onset of menopausal symptoms can be traumatic for women. In the perimenopause period, the time before the full onset of menopause, the symptoms -- including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of concentration and others -- may appear sporadically and arrive as soon as the mid-30s for some, the early 40s for others.
The first time a hot flash occurs may be taken as a sign that menopause is just around the corner for some women, which is not exactly true. Keep in mind that full-on menopause only occurs after a 12-month cessation of menstrual periods, which means that the occasional hot flash or another symptom is not necessarily the precursor to full menopause.
In fact, many times a hot flash is not necessarily a hormonal issue but is wrought by some other change or condition going on in the body. Here are some examples of things that may induce a hot flash that is not exactly related to perimenopause or menopausal issues.
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.
The possibilities include:
1) It is hot in your location. Keep in mind the popular song by Nelly: “It’s getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes.” No, don’t doff your garments. But consider that it may indeed be too hot in the room. Body heat from crowds, thermostats set too high, proximity to kitchens with open concepts and blazing ovens, or maybe a nearby heater or outlet can all cause a higher body temperature. Ask your companions or those nearby if they are warm before jumping to conclusions.
2) The food you eat may be at work. It’s well known that the body reacts to the fuel you put in it. If the food is drenched in hot sauce or is unusually warm, it can raise the body temperature. It’s why frozen margaritas are popular at Mexican restaurants. A large meal and the digestion process also can turn up the internal furnace as the body attempts to deal with the large amount of energy consumed.
3) Medications -- Most medications have side effects, and in some cases, they may raise the body temperature as they are metabolized. Particularly if you are taking a prescription medicine, think back on what you’ve consumed and don’t discount that the hot flash is a body reaction to medication.
4) Stress -- If you're bogged down with a work project or have rocky relationship issues, stress hormones may be released, raising the body temperature and mimicking a hot flash.
5) Infections and medical conditions -- Inflammation in the body can raise localized temperatures in a manner resembling a hot flash. Similarly, there are endocrine tumors that can cause the body thermostat to go haywire. These issues require a professional medical opinion and a blood test to determine whether either activity is in play.
6) Tight clothes – Anything restricting the body can cause a reaction. If you are wearing something that is too tight or confining, the body may react by raising your temperature, particularly in the region that is under assault. If what a person believes is the onset of hot flashes only occurs during nights out at the club, it may be a sign that binding clothes play at least a small role in the onset of hot flashes.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Only a doctor can tell whether a hot flash is actually a sign of perimenopause or the onset of actual menopause. The doctor will conduct a complete physical examination and take a comprehensive history of the patient to determine whether hot flashes are related to perimenopause or menopause or if they may be caused by some other condition or circumstance.
This will involve asking questions about when the issue occurs, how often, under what circumstances and other concerns. It is good to keep track of the hot flash episodes if you are concerned. Specific information helps a doctor pinpoint a concern and identify the issue.
There are typically questions about other symptoms that may occur before, during or after the event. Taken together, that information is usually enough, but blood tests are sometimes conducted if there is concern about whether the symptoms are related to other medical problems, like cancer or infections.
Because a true hot flash is a symptom rather than a disease, there is no cure for them. However, there are therapies to treat hot flashes and lessen the severity. These include hormone therapies, drug treatments, and alternative and complementary medicines like black cohosh and phytoestrogens.
Most commonly, doctors will recommend estrogen therapy using either oral medications or a transdermal patch to transmit the hormone, presuming the hot flash is indeed related to perimenopause or menopause.