Menopausecan sometimes feel like it’s shrouded in mystery.
At what age will it all begin?
What does a hot flash actually feel like?
Female body detail. wet body after shower.
Do we really need to call it the change?
While1.3 millionwomen become menopausal in the U.S. each year, it can still feel like the great unknown.
A time when your monthly periods come to an end, hormones change, and you experience hot flashes.
Its a fact of life.
), but how do they reallyfeel?
What are hot flashes?
A hot flash, sometimes called a hot flush, is one of the most common symptoms of menopause.
Duke, M.D., Ph.D., FACOG.
This in turn leads to us feeling suddenly warm and flushed.
Not all women will experience hot flashes, as they affect approximately 85% of menopausal women.
Around 55% of women experience hot flashes as they transition into the menopause stage.
What does a hot flash actually feel like?
Menopause affects everybody differently, and so hot flushes can feel different from individual to individual.
Some women will have associated perspiration, flushing, or heart palpitations.
If the change isnt enough menopause lingo for you, King has another one.
Hot flashes have been nicknamed personal summers by many women, she says.
How long do hot flashes last?
According to King, Hot flashes usually last for less than five minutes.
But if youre curious as to how long youll have to deal with hot flashes, it varies.
Can you control hot flashes?
In some cases, when hot flashes are too frequent or uncomfortable, hormone therapy might be an option.
It generally depends on how the hot flashes are impacting a womans quality of life, says King.
If the hot flashes are significantly affecting a womans daily activities, it may be time to take action.
If you fall into the latter camp, there are nonhormonal ways to manage hot flashes.
Here are six key tips to managing symptoms.
This is an easy one.
When you get ready for your day, give yourself the chance to cool off by dressing in layers.
That way, when a hot flash strikes, you could simply remove a sweater or jacket.
Sometimes hot flashes can strike when youre out and about.
Fortunately, you’ve got the option to simply switch them out with iced beverages instead.
Alcohol can dilate or relax blood vessels.
This can in turn cause a person to feel warmer due to heat being lost through the skin.
So use the hot flashes as an excuse to cut back on the merrymaking.
Get yourself some rest!
