Hot flash

== Signs and symptoms ==

== Signs and symptoms ==

Hot flashes and [[night sweats]] are vasomotor symptoms, and are the most common symptoms of menopause.{{cite web | last = Robinson | first = Kara | title = What Are Vasomotor Symptoms (Hot Flashes)? | work = eMedicine | publisher = [[WebMD]] | date = January 25, 2024 | url = https://www.webmd.com/menopause/menopause-vasomotor-symptoms | access-date = 2026-02-24 }} Hot flashes, a common symptom of [[menopause]] and [[perimenopause]], are typically experienced as a feeling of intense heat with [[Perspiration|sweating]] and rapid [[Heart rate|heartbeat]], and may typically last from two to thirty minutes for each occurrence, ending just as rapidly as they began. The sensation of heat usually begins in the face or chest, although it may appear elsewhere such as the back of the neck, and it can spread throughout the whole body.{{Cite web |title=Hot Flashes - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/symptoms-causes/syc-20352790?p=1 |access-date=2021-03-31 |website=www.mayoclinic.org}} Some people feel as if they are going to [[Syncope (medicine)|faint]]. In addition to being an internal sensation, the surface of the skin, especially on the face, becomes hot to the touch. This is the origin of the alternative term "hot flush", since the sensation of heat is often accompanied by visible reddening of the face.

Hot flashes and [[night sweats]] are vasomotor symptoms, typically experienced as a feeling of intense heat with [[Perspiration|sweating]] and rapid [[Heart rate|heartbeat]], and may typically last from two to thirty minutes for each occurrence, ending just as rapidly as they began. The sensation of heat usually begins in the face or chest, although it may appear elsewhere such as the back of the neck, and it can spread throughout the whole body.{{Cite web |title=Hot Flashes - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/symptoms-causes/syc-20352790?p=1 |access-date=2021-03-31 |website=www.mayoclinic.org}} Some people feel as if they are going to [[Syncope (medicine)|faint]]. In addition to being an internal sensation, the surface of the skin, especially on the face, becomes hot to the touch. This is the origin of the alternative term "hot flush", since the sensation of heat is often accompanied by visible reddening of the face.

The hot-flash event may be repeated a few times each week or every few minutes throughout the day. Hot flashes may begin to appear several years before menopause starts and last for years afterwards. Some people undergoing menopause never have hot flashes. Others have mild or infrequent flashes. Those most affected experience dozens of hot flashes each day. In addition, hot flashes are often more frequent and more intense during hot weather or in an overheated room, the surrounding heat apparently making the hot flashes themselves both more likely to occur and more severe.

The hot-flash event may be repeated a few times each week or every few minutes throughout the day. Hot flashes may begin to appear several years before menopause starts and last for years afterwards. Some people undergoing menopause never have hot flashes. Others have mild or infrequent flashes. Those most affected experience dozens of hot flashes each day. In addition, hot flashes are often more frequent and more intense during hot weather or in an overheated room, the surrounding heat apparently making the hot flashes themselves both more likely to occur and more severe.

Severe hot flashes can make it difficult to get a full night's sleep (often characterized as [[insomnia]]), which in turn can affect mood, impair concentration, and cause other physical problems. When hot flashes occur at night, they are called "[[night sweats]]". As [[estrogen]] is typically lowest at night, some people get night sweats without having any hot flashes during the daytime.{{cite web |author = University of Glasgow |author-link = University of Glasgow |title = Doctors seek the key to understanding hot flushes |work = University News (Archive of news) |publisher = University of Glasgow |date = 24 October 2007 |url=http://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2007/october/headline_50212_en.html |access-date = 19 April 2013}} Roughly one-third of females experience night sweating alone, whereas about one-third of females experience night-sweats in combination with hot flushes.

Severe hot flashes can make it difficult to get a full night's sleep (often characterized as [[insomnia]]), which in turn can affect mood, impair concentration, and cause other physical problems. When hot flashes occur at night, they are called "[[night sweats]]".

As [[estrogen]] is typically lowest at night, some people get night sweats without having any hot flashes during the daytime.{{cite web |author = University of Glasgow |author-link = University of Glasgow |title = Doctors seek the key to understanding hot flushes |work = University News (Archive of news) |publisher = University of Glasgow |date = 24 October 2007 |url=http://www.gla.ac.uk/news/archiveofnews/2007/october/headline_50212_en.html |access-date = 19 April 2013}} Roughly one-third of females experience night sweating alone, whereas about one-third of females experience night-sweats in combination with hot flushes.

=== Young females ===

=== Young females ===