Hot flashes and night sweats are some of the most common side effects of menopause. They show up as flushing of the face, neck, chest and back, lasting from 30 seconds to 30 minutes, according to MayoClinic.com. Hot flashes at night are called night sweats, which will often awaken a woman, leaving her feeling too warm and sweaty. While uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing, women can find relief and sometimes even diminish the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats.
Theories/Speculation
The cause of hot flashes and night sweats has not been identified. It is speculated that the drop in estrogen and progesterone interferes with the functions of the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls body temperature, according to the North American Menopause Society. The hypothalamus gets a wrong signal that the woman's body is overheating, which starts a chain reaction as the body tries to cool itself off. First, the blood vessels dilate near the skin's surface to increase blood flow. This causes the flushing appearance with a hot flash. Perspiration often follows as another mechanism for cooling.
Stress Research
Hot flashes seem to be triggered by stressful situations. At the University of Massachusetts Medical School, researchers found that women who had difficulty coping with stress had more hot flashes. They studied women with seven or more hot flashes per day and found that they could reduce them by attending a class for "mindfulness-based stress reduction." The class taught women to be mindful, or aware of situations that cause stress, and to stay calm and relaxed, using techniques such as yoga. The severity and number of the hot flushes decreased by 40 percent over an 11-week period. The study was published in the 2006 issue of the journal Menopause.
Dietary Research
Soy products have isoflavones, which are plant-derived estrogens called phytoestrogens. They are found in foods such as soybeans, tofu, tempeh, soy milk, soy nuts or any soy product. During menopause, estrogen diminishes, contributing to hot flash symptoms. The website Chinese Medicine News reports that hot flashes were reduced by 57 percent when women supplemented their diets with 60 mg of isoflavones daily.
Prevention
Besides stress as a trigger, several foods may set off a hot flash. Some women find that spicy foods will initiate a hot sweat. Caffeine and hot drinks are also triggers for some women, according to MayoClinic.com. Some women will get a hot flash if they are too warm. This can be remedied by wearing light clothing that is breathable and keeping rooms cooled with air conditioning or fans.
Considerations
Menopause is a normal transition, and most women will experience hot flashes and night sweats. However, it is important to seek medical advice and talk with a doctor about these changes.
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