His and Her Health

What the heck makes a person feel those hot flashes?

IAM NEW TO THIS THATS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO FINE OUT!!!. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME DOING NOT SURE HOW TO YET OK.

First, you are doing fine; second, using all caps is shouting on the computer. We don't want to shout at everyone!Next you and ruby might find the information you seek at www.redhotmamas.org , which is one of our Vibrance network sites.

A hot flash is considered the "badge" of menopause. For those logging onto our site, if you have not felt one - I will describe it as intense warmth, typically occuring in the upper body, face, neck, it can be followed by chills and cause you to have a drenching sweat. Some women also have palpitations. Women may also feel anxiety, dizziness, and a sense of not feeling just right. The frequency and severity of hot flashes are individual. They usually stop one or two years after the last period, but some women report they have them well beyond that time frame.
Most women tolerate them, however, about 15% find they are debilitating.

As for the cause, it is believed that hot flashes may occur as a result of changes in the hypothalamus (which regulates our body temperature), as well as the menstrual cycle. What results is a woman's heart rate rises and an increase in blood flow and body temperature. Declining estrogen levels cause the changes in the hypothalamus. The more abrupt drop in estrogen levels causes more severe hot flashes.

Replacing estrogen that is lost during menopause is the most effective way at eliminating hot flashes. The decision to use estrogen therapy should be made carefully, because of the potential side effects. However, nothing does it better at eliminating hot flashes as estrogen does. You can also watch your diet - avoid spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine; stop smoking, exercise (it decreases hot flashes) and keep cool - wearing fabrics that breathe. Hope this is of some help.

Oh, Thank you, that is the clearest explanation I have ever heard. I now have a better understanding of what is going on and why. It does make it easier to deal with.
Hugs!

thanks for some answers to my question's.I had a complete hysterectomy last Nov. at first it was OK, then when I would eat I would get real hot in side and sweat a little on my face I would have to stop eating and leave the table for a while I'd fill so bad. after about a month that stopped then I just get hot all of a sudden my hands would burn to the touch and at night my body felt the same, I lay against the cold wall on my back that helped a lot and now that its hot outside that doesnt work anymore so I put and ice pack on my chest and that seems to work for now.I don't think I can do this for two years or more! If you have any more sugestion please.

With the summer months heating up, hot flashes are leaving a lot of us drenched with sweat. It can turn into a real problem that can be incredibly bothersome and embarrassing and even leave us saying "What is that smell??". :p Many women in perimenopause and menopause find their antiperspirants just aren't strong enough anymore. The other day, one woman asked me what the best one is. Personally, I use Dove but I thought I'd see if you ladies had any input. What works for you?

I was slammed into the menopause brick wall almost seven years ago when I had chemo for breast cancer, and I've been sweating ever since. Just last night, even with the a/c and ceiling fan, I woke up soaking wet. I can't bear any temperature to be over 70, I don't drink hot beverages between April and October. I need windows open all winter long. Does this sweatfest ever end? This is pure unadulterated misery. No cure for b.c.,no cure for hot flashes, and yet they have a dozen pills for erectile disfunction. Is there something wrong with this picture? BTW, I'm vegetarian, slim, exercise, eat/drink soy products, take flax seed oil. And still burning up. Do they ever end?

bijou1105, both www.redhotmamas.org and www.bermansexualhealth have information on menopause and how to handle it.