Do I Have Hot Flashes?

Are you a woman who is 40 or older?

Do you have a sudden feeling of warmth spreading through your chest, neck and face?

Do you have a flushed appearance with red, blotchy skin?

Do you have a rapid heartbeat?

Do you sweat, mostly on the upper body?

Do you have night sweats that can sometimes wake you up?

Do you have a chilled feeling while the hot flash subsides?

Does the feeling of intense warmth last for a short time (it disappears in about 30 seconds to 5 minutes)?

Do you feel anxious?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have hot flashes. Hot flashes are quick bursts of warmth in your body, which can be especially intense on your face, neck and chest. They appear suddenly, and can last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes. Hot flashes are often accompanied by redness of the skin and sweating. They are most often the result of the menopausal transition (the period when menstruation becomes irregular and eventually disappears completely). More than two-thirds of menopausal women in America experience hot flashes. Most women have them on a daily basis. The symptoms can last for more than seven years.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have hot flashes. Hot flashes are sudden, intense feelings of heat in your body. During hot flashes, your skin may become red and sweaty. Sweating can also occur during the night. For some women, night sweats can cause long-term sleep problems. The cause of hot flashes is hormonal changes in your body during the menopausal transition. Decreased estrogen levels interfere with a thermoregulatory mechanism in a part of your brain called the hypothalamus, which triggers hot flashes. A diagnosis is based on your symptoms and the fact that you are in a menopausal transition.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have hot flashes. Hot flashes are uncomfortable sensations of intense warmth in your upper body. They are the main feature of menopausal transition in women. Hot flashes can vary in frequency, intensity and duration. They usually occur around the age of 40 and can last until the late 50s. If you have mild hot flashes or they do not occur daily, treatment may not be necessary. However, if you have hot flashes that interfere with your daily life, talk to your doctor about the best treatment option for you. Treatment may include medications and a hormone therapy.