What Do Hot Flashes Feel Like?

The majority of American women age 35 to 55 at some point experience hot flashes during perimenopause, or the transition into menopause, and in some cases for years following menopause. The flashes are caused by hormonal changes and can often be disruptive, distracting and embarrassing. Some women report they can sense when the flash is about to happen.

Sweat

• Your internal temperature drops and the body gives off heat to balance itself. Women usually start to feel a flash of intense heat on their head, down the neck and through the rest of the body. Sweating is common, especially on the upper lip, back of the neck and chest area.

Increased Heart Rate

• Heart palpitations are a common symptom of hot flashes, a result of fluctuating hormones. It can feel as though your heart is beating too quickly or skipping a beat.

Dizziness

• There is so much blood diverted for the flash that the brain gets short-changed for a moment and can cause a sensation of dizziness.

Nausea

• Nausea can result from the sudden change in the body's core temperature.

Duration

• A single hot flash can last as few as 20 seconds or as much as an hour. Most go on for three to four minutes. Women can have as many as three to four flashes a day.