What are Hot Flushes?
Like the surface of the Sun
Menopausal hot flushes are sudden feelings of intense heat that can spread throughout the body, particularly the face, neck, and chest. They are a common symptom experienced by 80% of women during menopause and can occur unexpectedly, often accompanied by sweating, flushing of the skin, and an increase heartrate, which, lasts on average between 1-5min but can be longer.
01
02
Science doesn’t actually know the exact cause! (yet)
Hot flushes are caused by hormonal changes associated with menopause, specifically fluctuations in estrogen levels. It is believed that changes in estrogen levels affect the body's thermoregulatory system, leading to a misinterpretation of temperature signals by the brain. A minor temperature change can be interpreted as a heat threat.
It’s like my body's thermostat is malfunctioning
As a result, the hypothalamus (your brain's thermostat) may mistakenly perceive minor changes in body temperature as a threat to the body's core temperature, triggering a cascade of physiological responses to cool the body down, even when it is not necessary. This overreaction leads to the characteristic sensations of heat and sweating associated with hot flushes.
03
04
Hot Flush triggers
Hot flushes are often triggered by various factors, including:
Stress
Spicy foods
Caffeine
Alcohol
Smoking
Hot weather
Variety of Hot Flushes
Hot flushes can vary in frequency and intensity from person to person. Our research has shown that on average women can have between 1-10 hot flushes per day, during 1-3 years but these numbers can vary depending on each woman.
05
