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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe exact cause of hot flashes isn't known, but the signs and symptoms point to factors affecting the function of your body's thermostat — the hypothalamus. This area at the base of your brain regulates body temperature and other basic processes. The estrogen reduction you experience during menopause may disrupt hypothalamic function, leading to hot flashes.
Low estrogen alone doesn't often seem to induce hot flashes, as children and women with low levels of estrogen due to medical conditions usually don't experience hot flashes. Instead, the withdrawal of estrogen, as happens during menopause, appears to be the trigger.
- Casper RF, et al. Menopausal hot flashes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Schorge JO, et al. The mature woman. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3158924. Accessed April 21, 2009.
- Menopause: Medicines to help you. U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Office of Women's Health. http://www.fda.gov/womens/medicinecharts/menopause.html. Accessed April 22, 2009.
- Nathan L, et al. Menopause and postmenopause. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2002. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2393309. Accessed April 21, 2007.
- Manson JE, et al. Estrogen therapy and coronary-artery calcification. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;356:2591.
- Herbal products for menopause. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp158.cfm. Accessed April 22, 2009.
