Hot flashes are characterized by a sudden, intense feeling of warmth or redness in the face, neck, and upper body. They are one of the most commonly reported symptoms of the menopause transition, primarily caused by fluctuating hormone levels. Other hot flash triggers can include stress, certain foods, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking.
They can occur at any time of day but are especially disruptive at night, often interfering with sleep. Hot flashes that occur at night are sometimes called night sweats due to the accompanying perspiration and chills that follow.
Each woman's experience is unique, but a single hot flash can last anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes. The frequency can also vary, ranging from none to multiple episodes per hour. There is no set "normal" number of hot flashes a woman may have.
The same is true for how long they may persist. On average, women experience hot flashes for a period of 10 years, though it's not uncommon for them to last even longer.
Fun fact: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is scientifically proven to be the most effective way to prevent and reduce the severity of hot flashes.
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