Menopause Hot Flash Symptoms

Hot flashes are one of the most predominant and frequent symptoms of both menopause and perimenopause (which is the period of time leading up to menopause) in women. It can be fairly uncomfortable but will usually be momentary periods or episodes that will come and go throughout this stage of a woman's life. So, how does a woman actually know she is experiencing a hot flash? It will usually present itself with some fairly obvious symptoms.

Heat

• The most obvious symptom of a hot flash that is associated to menopause will be the feeling of heat or warmth throughout the body. It usually, as many women have described, will hit you like a wave.

Flush

• This heat will often be accompanied by a brief flushing or reddening of the skin, almost like a woman is blushing in her face.

Perspiration

• Some women may also begin to sweat when the hot flash hits. This isn't an overwhelming perspiration, just a touch of sweat to certain areas of the body, such as the face, underarms and back of knees, to name a few.

Increased Heart Rate

• A number of women have also complained of a change in her heart rate when experiencing a hot flash. Much like the other symptoms, this increased rate will only be momentary and will end when the flash passes.

Faintness

• On occasion, a woman suffering a hot flash may actually become faint, though she will very rarely lose any sort of consciousness.

Chills

• Along with this wave of warmth, some women have been known to have the chills. This particular symptom would be much like when suffering a fever and experiencing the chills. Yet, this, unlike with a fever, will be a momentary sensation.

Insomnia

• While not an actual symptom of a hot flash, some women begin to have difficulty sleeping because a hot flash may occur while in bed.