Are Menopause Hot Flashes Dangerous to Your Health?

A hot flash is a sudden sensation of heat that happens when the blood vessels near the skin's surface dilate (become larger), causing a sudden rush of blood into the area.

Cause

• Menopausal hot flashes are caused by decreased estrogen production.

How Hot?

• According to the Women to Women Health Clinic, even though a hot flash can be quite unpleasant, a woman's core body temperature increases only slightly during hot flashes and they are not dangerous.

Associated Risk

• Although hot flashes themselves are not dangerous to your health, according to the study Menopausal Complaints Are Associated with Cardiovascular Risk Factors, women who have hot flashes may be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

Reducing Hot Flashes

• According to the University of Michigan Health System, you can reduce the risk of hot flashes by not smoking, limiting alcohol use, managing stress, exercising regularly and eating well.

Considerations

• Hot flashes can occur for reasons other than menopause, such as overactive thyroid, and are common side effects of chemotherapy or hormone therapy for breast cancer.