A hot flash is a sudden warm feeling in the upper body, usually the most intense over the face, neck, and chest. Hot flashes are most commonly caused by menopause.  

Menopause is when the menstrual period stops for good, with most women experiencing a hot flash about four and a half to five years after their last period. It is diagnosed after 12 months without having a menstrual period, vaginal bleeding, or spotting.  

During a hot flash, a woman might feel like she is spiking a high fever, but physiologically, that isn’t what is happening. As women approach menopause and the ovaries begin to produce less estrogen, the hypothalamus, the brain’s internal thermostat, becomes hypersensitive to even small shifts in temperature.  

When a woman experiences a hot flash, the body believes it is overheating, even when the actual temperature hasn’t changed much. In response to this, the body tries to cool down as blood vessels dilate, which is supposed to help dissipate some of that heat, triggering a sweating reflex.  

How an individual woman experiences hot flashes varies greatly. Some women describe very mild symptoms, while others suffer from profuse sweating. Additionally, some women only have hot flashes during the day, while others have regular night sweats. According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, about four in five women experience hot flashes at some point during the menopause transition.  

Common triggers of hot flashes include: 

• Alcohol 

• Caffeine 

• High sugar intake 

• High processed foods 

• Stress 

Black women are more likely to experience more severe and longer-lasting symptoms, sometimes up to 11 years, and research shows that women with more severe, longer-lasting hot flashes and night sweats appear to be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.  

For decades, hot flashes were blamed solely on the loss of estrogen, but that explanation left some questions unanswered because not every menopausal woman has night sweats. What’s more, it doesn’t explain why perimenopausal women experience hot flashes while they still produce estrogen. 

Newer research has shown that when the brain recognizes that a woman’s estrogen levels are low, nerve cells in the hypothalamus called KNDy neurons become overactive, releasing neurotransmitters, which include kisspeptin, dynorphin, and neurokinin B.  

For women in the middle of their hot flash years and the ten percent of menopausal women who continue to experience them, here are some strategies and tips that can help you manage your hot flashes: 

• Keep your core body temperature as cool as possible 

• Keep cool at night 

• Watch what you eat and drink 

• Refrain from smoking 

• Maintain a healthy weight 

• Reduce your stress 

• Exercise regularly 

• When you feel a hot flash coming on, take several slow, deep breaths and try to relax 

• Drink a glass of cold water and sit calmly until it passes 

• Wear layers you can easily take off when you feel yourself getting hot 

Once a hot flash starts, there is no instant cure. Talk to your healthcare professional about medications and complementary therapies that make the most sense for you and your symptoms. 

If you are experiencing hot flashes due to menopause, the most effective way to relieve the discomfort from them is to take estrogen, but taking it carries risks. 

Other treatments for hot flashes can include: 

• Medications 

• Antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and other medications 

• Hormone therapy 

• Mind and body approaches 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 

• Hypnosis 

• Mindful meditation 

• Acupuncture 

• Dietary supplements 

At Jamaica Hospital’s Department of Women’s Health Services, we are passionate about meeting the various needs of women in our community. We proudly treat women from all walks of life and provide a warm and welcoming environment. To learn more about our OB/GYN services or to make an appointment, contact us at 718-291-3276. 

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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.