Hot flushes during menopause

Introduction

During the menopause (medical term: climacteric) a sudden rise in body temperature can occur. The affected person is then suddenly warm or even really hot. Many of them also break out in sweat or show reddening of the skin in this context.

The symptoms just described are summarized under the term hot flushes. They are a typical symptom that occurs particularly at the beginning of the menopause. Because of their early onset, hot flushes are sometimes also seen as “harbingers” of the menopause.

Causes

Doctors suspect that hot flushes during menopause are related to the autonomic nervous system. This is a part of the nervous system that humans cannot consciously access – but which reacts to the hormonal changes in the body. The small blood vessels in the body are controlled by this part of the nervous system.

If the onset of menopause causes hormone fluctuations or decreases, this can lead to a reaction of the blood vessels. The blood vessels then suddenly dilate, which leads to a rise in temperature and is also accompanied by reddening of the skin. Furthermore, the pores in the skin open up and sweat escapes. The reaction takes place within a few seconds and can occur, much to the dismay of those affected, several times during the day or even at night. Further reasons for hot flashes can be read in the following article: Causes of hot flushes

Associated symptoms

In addition to the occurrence of hot flushes, a variety of other symptoms can occur. These include headaches, backache and dizziness. Sleep disorders are typical of the menopause, which can be caused by night-time hot flushes, among other things.

Another important feature is a change in menstrual flow. Menstruation usually occurs more irregularly or less frequently and is accompanied by longer or heavier bleeding. Some women also experience intermittent bleeding.

The hormone fluctuations are also noticeable in the vaginal environment. Many women report vaginal dryness during menopause, which is caused by estrogen deficiency. Weight gain is also a typical symptom.

Furthermore, there may be complaints in the gastrointestinal tract, which are also caused by the hormonal changes. Hair loss can also be seen in the context of menopausal symptoms. In some women, the hormonal change also affects the appearance of the skin, it appears less bulging than before and can be accompanied by increased wrinkling.

The mood can also be affected. In some women, similar to puberty, the hormone changes cause mood swings, nervousness and/or restlessness.

  • Slimming during the menopause
  • Dizziness in the menopause
  • Heart stumbling in the menopause

Women are much less likely to suffer from high blood pressure before menopause than men.

However, this suddenly changes when the menopause begins: due to the hormonal changes, a large number of women develop high blood pressure. Oestrogen, a hormone that is involved in important control processes of the female cycle, also has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. As this hormone declines, its protective function is lost and women become more susceptible to developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can lead to hot flushes, reddening of the skin or increased sweating. If women suffer from hot flushes during menopause, blood pressure should always be controlled as well.