Hot flashes vary in frequency, you may have several a day or just a few a week. You could experience full-on sweating throughout the day and night, or you may just occasionally feel warmer than you used to. Hot flashes can last as long as 30 minutes, but most subside within a couple of minutes. Nighttime hot flashes or night sweats can wake you from a sound sleep. A hot flash occurs because of the hormonal changes that go on in the body during menopause. During this time in a woman’s life, estrogen supply is diminished, affecting the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is responsible for the control of your sleep cycles, sex hormones, appetite, and your body temperature. When estrogen production slows down, the hypothalamus gets confused and causes your body to grow hot. There are many different ways to reduce hot flashes. Some women are on estrogen therapy and many women take natural supplements, such as Hot Flash Freedom to reduce hot flashes. You can also avoid things that trigger a hot flash such as alcohol, caffeine, hot food, hot showers, smoking, or saunas.
Feb 29