What causes hot flashes?

Although some believe that hot flashes are caused by illness, fevers, or even burning desire - the real causes for hot flashes are the sex hormones in women and men.

Testosterone levels in men and estrogen levels in women can fluctuate. If these hormones are suppressed, this can cause blood vessels to dilate. When the blood vessels dilate, more blood is able to rush through the body. The sudden increase in blood flow is accompanied by more heat, typically to the upper part of the body. An estimated 85 percent of all women will experience hot flashes at some point.

If you are experiencing hot flashes, you may want to discuss it with your doctor, especially if you are too young for menopause. There are other causes for hot flashes, including hyperthyroidism and some types of cancer.

Hot flashes are common occurrences during pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause. They are, in fact, the most common symptom of menopause.

They can be trigger or amplified by environmental factors, too. Alcohol, spicy foods, caffeine, nicotine, exercise, chocolate and fat can all trigger hot flashes.

A hot room, sleep deprivation, stress and medication can be other triggers.

Current theory suggests that the flushing, hot, tingling, and sweating sensations during menopause may be due to a surge of the brain hormone gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which has direct effect on the part of the brain that regulates body temperature. This hormone is part of a group that controls ovarian hormone output. Normally, when ovaries are functioning at their reproductive levels, GnRH levels are low.

In menopausal women, the brain makes more of this hormone as a signal to the ovaries to return to their reproductive function. The increased GnRH resets the central heat regulatory center in the brain, which results in the blood vessels rapidly expanding in an attempt to reduce perceived overheating (vasodilation).

As menopause draws nearer, increasing amounts of hormones are released, causing increasingly severe symptoms, which can last up to five years if there is no estrogen replacement given, either by way of diet or medications.

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