Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMenopauseMedicationsHyperthyroidismHypogonadismAnxietyCancerInfectionNeurologic CausesDietRosaceaTreatment OptionsWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Menopause
Medications
Hyperthyroidism
Hypogonadism
Anxiety
Cancer
Infection
Neurologic Causes
Diet
Rosacea
Treatment Options
When to See a Provider
Ahot flashis a feeling of sudden, intense heat on the upper body that lasts anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes.
Hot flashes are thought to occur when a drop inestrogen(or changes in other hormones) disrupts the body’s natural thermostat, known as thehypothalamus. Other symptoms include sweating, reddening of the skin, headaches, lightheadedness, andheart palpitations.
This article discusses the various causes of hot flashes, why they happen, and how they are treated. It also offers tips on how to cope with hot flashes and when it is time to see a healthcare provider.
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Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause. In fact, more than 80% of people experience hot flashes during menopause, generally when menopause is first starting.
Hot flashes during menopause are due to a decrease in the hormone estrogen. Estrogen has many effects on the human brain and, along with the hormonetestosterone, helps regulate a part of the brain called thehypothalamusthat acts as the body’s thermostat.
The sudden flush of heat usually starts in the face or chest and can spread throughout the entire body. Episodes can last anywhere from a few seconds to up to 30 minutes. Hot flashes tend to start abruptly and end just as quickly.
When hot flashes occur at night, they are commonly referred to asnight sweats.
While anyone going through menopause can experience hot flashes, there are certain factors that can influence their likelihood, frequency, or severity, including:
Hot Flashes in Transgender MenHot flashes can affecttransgender menonhormone blockers. Hormone blockers are medications that suppress estrogen to halt puberty. The steep drop in estrogen can trigger vasomotor symptoms in the same way as menopause.
Hot Flashes in Transgender Men
Hot flashes can affecttransgender menonhormone blockers. Hormone blockers are medications that suppress estrogen to halt puberty. The steep drop in estrogen can trigger vasomotor symptoms in the same way as menopause.
Prescription Drugs
If you’re experiencing hot flashes, it could be because of a medication you are taking. Some drugs directly affect the balance of estrogen in the body. Others interfere with a system known as thehypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis.
The HPA axis coordinates communications between the hypothalamus and the hormone-producingpituitary glandandadrenal glands. By constantly looping chemical messages to and from the hypothalamus—and adjusting hormone levels as needed—the HPA axis ensures that the body’s systems are in a constant state of equilibrium. This includes your body temperature.
If the chemical messages are in any way disrupted, vasomotor symptoms can occur.
Medications that can cause hot flashes include:
Hyperthyroidism(overactive thyroid gland) can also cause vasomotor symptoms. Thethyroid glandalso interacts with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to ensure that the right amount of thyroid hormones is produced.
The hypothalamus sends signals “telling” the pituitary gland when to producethyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which in turn “tells” the thyroid gland when to start producing thyroid hormones likethyroxine. When enough thyroid hormones are produced, the hypothalamus “turns off” the pituitary gland until more thyroid hormones are needed.
When the thyroid gland is overactive, it can disrupt this loop and overstimulate the hypothalamus, leading to vasomotor symptoms.
Can Younger Females Get Hot Flashes?Hyperthyroidism is most common in people in their 30s or 40s. If you are younger and experience frequent hot flashes, it may be due to hyperthyroidism or other conditions affecting the pituitary gland.
Can Younger Females Get Hot Flashes?
Hyperthyroidism is most common in people in their 30s or 40s. If you are younger and experience frequent hot flashes, it may be due to hyperthyroidism or other conditions affecting the pituitary gland.
It is possible for males and females to experience hot flashes as a result ofhypogonadism(low testosterone). This is because hypogonadism can lead to estrogen deficiency.
Under normal circumstances, a small proportion of testosterone in the body is converted into estrogen. If testosterone levels are low, estrogen levels can also drop. If estrogen levels are exceptionally low, hot flashes can occur.
People with prostate cancer sometimes undergoandrogen deprivation therapyto block the production of testosterone that can otherwise fuel the growth of the cancerous tumor. Doing so can trigger hot flashes in three out of four people undergoing deprivation therapy, according to one study.
Anxiety disorderscan cause somatic (physical) symptoms like hot flashes, a racing heartbeat, and increased sweating. This is common in people who have panic attacks orpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
During periods of extreme anxiety, the body releases a hormone calledcortisolthat triggers the “fight-or-flight" response to better cope with the perceived threat.
Among other things, cortisol causes your heart rate and respiration rate to increase to supply more oxygen to muscles. These and other physiological responses can cause the body to spontaneously overheat, leading to hot flashes.
What a Panic Attack Feels Like
Carcinoid Syndrome
Flushing with carcinoid syndrome happens when excessive amounts of the hormoneserotoninare released. The sudden surge in serotonin triggers a chain of events that causes the widening of blood vessels (vasodilation) and a surge in blood flow under the skin.
Other cancers, such aspancreatic cancer,medullary thyroid cancer,bronchogenic carcinoma(an uncommon type of lung cancer), andrenal cell carcinoma(a common type of kidney cancer) can also cause hot flashes.
Facial Flushing From Carcinoid Syndrome
Any infection that causes afevercan trigger hot flashes. The body’s temperature can rise as it tries to kill off a viral or bacterial infection. If an infection is the cause of your hot flashes, you may also experience other symptoms such as fatigue, joint aches, and sweating.
There is a wide range of infections that could cause hot flashes, including:
Neurological Disorders
Hot flashes may also be the result of certain neurological disorders (conditions that affect the brain, nerves, and spinal cord). Sometimes, these conditions can interfere with theautonomic nervous system, which helps keep the body’s temperature in check.
For example, people withmigrainesoften experience a feeling of extreme, sudden heat with sweating during the migraine attack.
Other neurologic disorders likeParkinson’s diseaseandmultiple sclerosis(MS) can also prompt symptoms likeexcessive sweating, sudden body temperature shifts, and skin flushing.
Your diet also has the potential to cause hot flashes.
Foods that containnitritesused in processed foods like hot dogs and deli meats can have a similar effect on some people. The response is thought to be related to a nitrite intolerance rather than a nitrite allergy.
People with rosacea are encouraged to avoid triggers like hot environments, spicy foods, hot beverages, alcohol, stress, and any medications that cause vasodilation.
Common Triggers and Causes of Hot Flashes
How Are Hot Flashes Treated?
While there isn’t a “cure” for hot flashes, there are some ways to relieve the discomfort they can cause. The treatment will vary based on the underlying cause.
Medical Treatment
It’s important to seek a thorough diagnosis to pinpoint the exact cause of your hot flashes. This is especially true if you have symptoms of carcinoid syndrome, severe infections, hyperthyroidism, or anxiety disorders.
In some cases, prescription medications might help ease hot flashes, including:
Lifestyle Changes
If you are dealing with frequent hot flashes, consider making some of the following changes to help ease your discomfort:
Talk to your doctor before making any dietary or medication changes, such as cutting back on caffeine,niacin supplements, or OTC fever reducers. The abrupt change in any habit may also trigger vasomotor symptoms.
Natural Remedies for Menopause Symptoms
When to See a Healthcare Provider
There are many different reasons for experiencing hot flashes. While most of them are not serious, you do need to know what is causing them.
If you’re having trouble narrowing the cause, try keeping track of the episodes. List the details about the outdoor and room temperature at the time that you had a hot flash, your diet and activity levels, and any medications that you used. In time, you and your healthcare provider may be able to pinpoint the problem.
See your healthcare provider if you have one or more of these symptoms along with hot flashes:
Tips for Easing Hot Flashes
Summary
Although menopause is the most common cause of hot flashes, other situations and conditions can result in them, too. Sometimes, hot flashes are simply a result of sleeping in a hot room, drinking too much caffeine, or using certain medications or supplements. Other times, hot flashes can be a sign of something serious, such as multiple sclerosis or another neurological disorder.
If you have been experiencing hot flashes and you are not sure what is causing them, contact your healthcare provider. Treatments including hormone replacement therapy or the FDA-approved drug Brisdelle (paroxetine) may help.
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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.
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