FEEL WELL • HOT FLASHES

Hot flashes & night sweats:
when your thermostat feels rewritten.

Hot flashes and night sweats are common during the menopause transition. Learn what they can feel like, what may help, and when to talk with a healthcare professional.

What a hot flash can feel like

Hot flashes are typically sudden sensations of heat, often strongest in the face, neck and chest. Sweating, flushing, chills, anxiety or a racing heartbeat can accompany them. Night sweats are hot flashes that happen during sleep. The Menopause Society says these symptoms occur in up to 80% of women during the menopause transition and can affect sleep, mood and quality of life.

Why tracking can be useful

Frequency and severity matter. So does context. Note when an episode happened, whether it woke you, how long it seemed to last and what else was going on that day. The National Institute on Aging recommends noticing possible triggers and how bothersome hot flashes are.

Comfort measures are not the same as treatment

A cooler bedroom, breathable layers and a fan may make an episode easier to tolerate, but they are not substitutes for medical treatment when symptoms are significantly disruptive. Prescription hormone and nonhormone options exist; what is appropriate depends on symptoms, health history and preferences.

When to bring it up

If hot flashes or night sweats interfere with sleep, work or daily life, a healthcare professional can help assess possible causes and discuss options. New or concerning symptoms should not automatically be assumed to be menopause.

Educational information only; not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek professional care for symptoms that are severe, persistent, worsening or concerning.