Hot flashes and facial flushing are relatively common symptoms that can range from being a simple annoyance to amore debilitating and distressing condition. While there are many causes for these conditions, menopause is one of the most common.
Most women will not be surprised to hear that hot flashes occur in about 75% ofmenopausal women, most often in association with a rising flush from the chest to face.
yacobchuk / Getty Images
How Menopause Causes Hot Flashes
During a hot flash,blood vesselsin the skin will widen suddenly, causing redness and a hot, burning sensation. In response, the body will drop its temperature quickly, narrowing the vessels and allowing heat to escape. This is why women will often sweat first and then shiver during the hot flash.
Treatments
Herbal preparations containing soy are also thought to reduce the frequency of flushing in some women. (The same cannot be said for ginseng, black cohosh, or St. John’s Wort which are often marketed as being beneficial to the relief of menopausal symptoms.)
Since hot foods and emotional stress can exacerbate flushing, the avoidance of hot beverages and spicy foods during menopause can help, as can engaging in yoga and other activities promoting progressive muscle relaxation.
Other non-medical interventions include a reduction in caffeine and/or alcohol intake, as the wearing of loose-fitting clothes. Quitting smoking is also highly recommended.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lugo T, Tetrokalashvili M.Hot Flashes. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Bansal R, Aggarwal N.Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Concise Review. J Midlife Health. 2019;10(1):6-13. doi:10.4103/jmh.JMH_7_19
Rance NE.Menopause and the human hypothalamus: evidence for the role of kisspeptin/neurokinin B neurons in the regulation of estrogen negative feedback. Peptides. 2009;30(1):111-22. doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2008.05.016
Freedman RR.Menopausal hot flashes: mechanisms, endocrinology, treatment. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2014;142:115-20. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.08.010
Ghazanfarpour M, Sadeghi R, Abdolahian S, Latifnejad roudsari R.The efficacy of Iranian herbal medicines in alleviating hot flashes: A systematic review. Int J Reprod Biomed (Yazd). 2016;14(3):155-66.
Schilling C, Gallicchio L, Miller SR, Langenberg P, Zacur H, Flaws JA.Current alcohol use, hormone levels, and hot flashes in midlife women. Fertil Steril. 2007;87(6):1483-6. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.033
Freedman, R.“Menopausal hot flashes: mechanisms, endocrinology, treatment.:J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2014 Jul;142:115-20.The North American Menopause Society.The Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide (5thEdition).2014;ISBN 978-0-692-26135-4.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
