Video / Sharecare Experts / Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD / What Causes Hot Flashes?

What Causes Hot Flashes?

What Causes Hot Flashes? (0:44)

The actual cause of hot flashes is unknown, but they are generally associated with hormonal fluctuations caused by menopause, PMS, anxiety or even thyroid issues. Watch OB/GYN specialist Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, explain this uncomfortable symptom.

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We're not really sure what causes hot flashes, but I can tell you that it is generally associated with fluctuation of hormones, so that's why typically you will see it around the time of menopause, peri-menopause, even PMS, but when people are anxious, nervous or have other hormonal problems, they may also suffer from hot flashes.

Hot flashes are typical to a lot of different conditions not just menopause, people will have hot flashes frequently when they're anxious or they're nervous, sometimes women get it with peri-menopause or with PMS and people who have thyroid problems also may experience hot flashes, all of these can signal a hormonal disorder or a hormonal fluctuation.