Bladder issues: Some women experience an increase in bladder infections or pain.Some people also report having a racing heart. Heart health and vascular changes: Blood pressure may go up during menopause.A person’s attitudes about sex might also change. Some people report that sex becomes more uncomfortable, which may be due to dryness and thinning skin. Sex life changes: Vaginal dryness is common during menopause.Additional stresses, such as aging parents, a history of depression, or fatigue from sleep loss, can also contribute to mood changes. People might feel excited to begin a new chapter or sad to reach this natural transition - or both at the same time. Some people also feel emotional about the transition to menopause. Mood changes: Fluctuating hormone levels can affect a person’s mental health and mood.Aches and pains: Some people report headaches, muscle pains, or muscle spasms.Their waist might expand, and they may have more difficulty maintaining muscle mass. Physical changes: Many people notice that their weight distribution changes during perimenopause and when they stop menstruating.Periods may get lighter, irregular, closer together, or less frequent. During perimenopause, it is common to experience changes in periods. Period changes: Menopause is when a person goes 12 months without a period.Some other symptoms of menopause include: Some medical conditions may trigger early menopause. Those in their 20s or 30s who experience sudden rushes of heat may have another problem, such as a fever, infection, or inflammation.Įven when menopause is the culprit, it is important to see a doctor when symptoms appear very early. Others may continue menstruating into their late 50s or even early 60s.Īge is generally a good predictor of menopause, though, and it can help with determining whether a sudden feeling of heat is a hot flash or something else. However, some people experience early menopause in their 30s. The average age of menopause is 51 years. A person reaches menopause after 1 year without a period. The transition to menopause usually begins between the ages of 45 and 55 years. Estrogen therapy may, therefore, ease some symptoms.

Some people report experiencing anxiety or stress during a hot flash, especially if they are out in public and feel concerned about looking flushed.Īfter a hot flash, as the body attempts to cool itself, a person may experience sweating that causes them to feel cold or shiver.ĭoctors think that fluctuating estrogen levels may affect blood vessels, causing sudden changes in vessel dilation that trigger hot flashes. This increased blood flow can cause blotchy patches on the skin, or flushing. Some people find that their hot flashes follow a predictable pattern.ĭuring a hot flash, blood vessels in the upper body expand, allowing more blood flow to the area. For instance, they can happen many times an hour, a few times a day, or less than once a week. The frequency of hot flashes varies significantly among individuals. Most hot flashes last between 30 seconds and 10 minutes, but they can be longer. The heart rate also tends to increase during a hot flash, intensifying the sensation of heat. A person might experience symptoms in the chest, arms, neck, or face. Hot flashes cause a sudden sensation of heat in the upper body.

Share on Pinterest Symptoms of a hot flash occur in the upper body.

Hot flashes causes