More than a million American women enter menopause every year, marking an end to their periods and the beginning of an entirely new chapter in their lives. While hot flashes can be a common sign of menopause, having uncomfortable warm spells doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve entered this new phase of your life.
As a leading gynecologist in Santa Monica, California, Shamsah Amersi, MD, offers comprehensive, compassionate care for women in menopause and those approaching menopause (a time called perimenopause). Here, learn whether your hot flashes are likely associated with menopause or if they might be caused by something else.
Hot flashes describe an uncomfortable symptom that makes you feel like a wave of intense heat passes over you, spreading through your body. A rapid onset of sweating often accompanies them, lasting anywhere from a few fleeting moments to several minutes.
Hot flashes are a common symptom of menopause, occurring as estrogen and progesterone levels decline. In addition to promoting reproductive health, these hormones play roles in other areas of health and physiology, including helping your body maintain a normal temperature. When hormone levels decrease, you can wind up with hot flashes and their nighttime “cousin,” night sweats.
But menopause is just one possible cause of hot flashes and intense sweating. These symptoms can also be associated with:
Menopause-related hot flashes may also be triggered by hot weather, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, or spicy foods, making it harder to tell if your symptoms are related to a decline in estrogen or external factors.
Menopause is defined as not having had a period for 12 consecutive months. But you can begin having menopause-related hot flashes months or even years before you’re in menopause. This period is referred to as perimenopause, and it can benefit from medical treatment, too.
One of the first steps in determining if hot flashes might be related to menopause or perimenopause is to consider other symptoms you might be experiencing. In addition to hot flashes and night sweats, menopause can be associated with:
If you’re having hot flashes with or without other symptoms, scheduling an office visit is a good idea. During your appointment, Dr. Amersi may order lab tests to measure hormone levels and review your symptoms and health history.
If she determines you’re in menopause, she tailors a treatment plan based on your needs and preferences. For many women, that includes:
Your menopause treatment will be customized for you, with regular visits to ensure your treatment is maximally effective as your needs change.
Menopause and perimenopause are referred to as “the change of life” for a good reason: This time of your life is filled with positive and uncomfortable changes. To find out if you’re in menopause or perimenopause and how we can help, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Amersi at her Santa Monica, California, office today.
