Written by Michael Brown - January 19, 2023
A menopause hot flash, otherwise known as a hot flush, is a common symptom of menopause, and affects up to 75% of women. While the intensity, frequency and duration of hot flashes can vary from woman to woman, the average duration for most is about 2 to 5 minutes.
The experience of a hot flash can range from mild warmth to intense heat and can be accompanied by perspiration, paleness or redness in the face and neck area. It usually starts at the head or chest and spreads outward. A hot flash may also be experienced during sleep.
Although every woman’s journey through menopause is different, they often share similar experiences when it comes to hot flashes. Generally speaking, they tend to last around 2-5 minutes on average and occur at night more frequently than during the day.
Menopause hot flashes are caused by hormonal fluctuations which affect body temperature regulation. When estrogen levels drop during menopause this causes vasomotor instability in the hypothalamus resulting in sudden rush of warmth throughout your body. This results in excessive sweating followed by a cold sensation as it subsides. There are many other factors that can cause increase in body heat such as stress or spicy foods but these do not last long like a menopausal episode does.
By identifying triggers that lead to your episodes and utilizing some simple lifestyle changes you should be able to better manage those dreaded menopausal hot flashes!