But these uncomfortable, sweat-drenched episodes can happen for plenty of other reasons too.
Understanding what youre experiencing menopauseor otherwise can help you pinpoint the best way to manage them.
What, exactly, is a hot flash?
You may feel flushed or turn red, and you might also start to sweat.
It feels like being suddenly embarrassed by something with your face turning red, says Barbieri.
You may also experience night sweats, which are hot flashes nocturnal siblings.
How often these episodes happen can vary from person to person.
So why does this happen as you get closer to menopause?
According to Schroeder, doctors arent 100% sure, but they do have some theories.
Hot flashes can happen for other, non-menopause reasons too.
Barbieri says you might notice feeling hotter just before your period (when estrogen naturally starts to dip).
Your age is one of the most important clues that your hot flashes are associated withmenopause.
So if youre 25 and you have one hot flash, menopause is unlikely.
By definition, menopause is when you stop getting periods (because youve stopped ovulating).
Perimenopause is the process leading up to that, and Barbieri says it can last around a decade.
During that time, youll definitely see changes in your menstrual cycle.
Your cycle could be erratic and unpredictable if yourestrogen levelsare on the decline, Barbieri says.
You might also skip the bleeding phase altogether if you’re inching closer to life without a period.
When your estrogen declines, youll likely notice persistent symptoms that get more intense over time.
Your period might vanish for months at a time, and then reappear.
Hot flashes probably wont be the only sign of getting closer to menopause.
Until that point, theres a lot you might do to manage them.
Other drugs, Schroeder says, work by blocking certain receptors in your hypothalamus thought to aggravate hot flashes.
Lifestyle changes can also make a big difference in keeping menopause-related hot flashes at bay.
