Hot flush

Sometimes called hot flash-a sudden feeling of heat often associated with sweating and accompanied by warm hands, a slightly faster heart rate and higher blood pressure. The intensity of hot flushes varies from a mild warm feeling without sweating to “a tropical rain storm.” Hot flushes originate in the hypothalamus that is exposed to estrogen withdrawal after first becoming habituated to high estrogen. It involves a fundamental change in temperature regulation. Hot flushes may begin in perimenopause (especially in women who have experienced high estrogen signs such as increased premenstrual symptoms). Hot flushes are maximal during the year following the final menstrual period. Men having anti-androgen treatment for prostate cancer may also experience them. These are sometimes called hot flashes and along with night sweats are part of a general uncomfortable experience called vasomotor symptoms.