What Causes Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of intense heat in the upper body, often accompanied by sweating and skin redness. While commonly associated with women going through menopause, men can also experience hot flashes, and they can occur at different stages of life due to various reasons. In this article, we will explain the causes of hot flashes in detail.

Causes of Hot Flashes in Women

Hot flashes in women are often linked to menopause, but several other factors contribute to their occurrence. Below, we explore the possible causes of hot flashes based on a woman’s age in more detail:

• Hot Flashes During Menopause

Menopause is the most common cause of hot flashes in women in their 40s and 50s. More than 80% of women experience hot flashes during menopause, which typically occurs in their late 40s or 50s.

The reason behind this is the drop in estrogen levels, which affects the brain in multiple ways. With the help of testosterone, this hormone regulates the hypothalamus in the brain, which controls body temperature.

When estrogen levels drop and hormone levels become imbalanced, the hypothalamus becomes more sensitive to slight changes in body temperature. It perceives the body as overheated, triggering the sweat glands, increasing heart rate, and dilating blood vessels near the skin’s surface in an attempt to cool the body. This leads to a surge of heat starting in the face and chest, potentially spreading throughout the entire body.

• Hot Flashes During Reproductive Age

Women in their 20s, 30s, or early 40s may also experience hot flashes for various reasons unrelated to menopause, including:

1. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Some women experience hot flashes as part of their regular PMS symptoms. Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can affect the body’s temperature regulation, leading to hot flashes and sweating.

2. Pregnancy

It is common for women to experience hot flashes and night sweats during pregnancy, particularly in the first and third trimesters. Studies show that 35% of pregnant women experience hot flashes at some point during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

3. Medication Use

Certain medications, such as fertility drugs like clomiphene or birth control pills, can also cause hot flashes.

• Hot Flashes in Adolescence

Teenage girls may experience hot flashes due to the hormonal changes associated with puberty.

Causes of Hot Flashes in Men

Although hot flashes are most commonly associated with women, men can also experience them for various reasons, such as:

• Prostate Cancer Treatment: Men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy to block testosterone production (which fuels prostate cancer) may experience hot flashes.
• Medications: Drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, like sildenafil, may cause hot flashes.

Common Causes of Hot Flashes in Both Men and Women

Hot flashes can occur at any age in men and women due to the following reasons, although they are less common:

• Medications: Some drugs, such as those for high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, chemotherapy, and cancer treatments, can cause hot flashes.
• Anxiety Disorders: Panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can trigger symptoms such as hot flashes, increased heart rate, and sweating.
• Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid gland can stimulate the hypothalamus, leading to hot flashes.
• Hypogonadism: Men and women with low testosterone levels due to hypogonadism may experience hot flashes.
• Infections: The body may raise its temperature in response to fighting off a viral or bacterial infection, leading to fever and hot flashes, along with fatigue, joint pain, and excessive sweating.
• Carcinoid Syndrome: Though rare, certain tumors may produce excessive hormones that trigger hot flashes.
• Neurological Disorders: Some neurological conditions, such as migraines, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, can also cause hot flashes.

What Should You Do If You Experience Hot Flashes?

Anyone can experience hot flashes, so there’s no need to panic as they are often a natural response to hormonal changes or other factors. However, if they begin to interfere with daily life, it is advisable to consult a doctor to determine the cause and create an appropriate treatment plan.

At Blazma, we offer a variety of tests and screenings that your doctor may recommend to identify the cause of hot flashes, such as total testosterone, estradiol (E2) hormone, Thyroid tests package, and many more tests.