Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms associated with menopause. Around 80% of women in Western countries experience menopause hot flashes when they approach the transitional period. But hot flushes are less common in Eastern countries where only 10 to 15 percent of women complain of hot flushes when they enter menopause.

The severity and intensity of menopause hot flushes vary from woman to woman. Some of them may experience the flushes for a very short period of time while for some others the symptoms may last even for a period of five to six years. Only in a very small percentage of women this symptom of menopause may stay for the entire life. Furthermore, it is often seen that the severity of hot flushes diminishes as time goes by.

Till now no one is totally sure about the exact causes of menopause hot flashes but it is generally assumed that due to the fluctuating and declining estrogen level in the body hot flashes may occur. Again, hot flushes can also occur as a result of the other symptoms of menopause like insomnia, stress and anxiety. Diet is also very important factor for hot flushes and it is assumed that in Asian women hot flushes are less in common because of their low fiber diet.

When you have hot flashes you may experience symptoms like

• A rapid heartbeat
• A feeling of warmth through out the entire body and face which gradually increase
• Red flushed skin with sweating
• Perspiration in order to cool down
• Night sweating and sleep disturbances

The symptoms of hot flush may stay for a period of two minutes to thirty minutes in each occurrence. In some rare case some women may experience severe menopause hot flushes and can even loose consciousness also.