Menopause Basics

Hot Flashes: What Is Actually Happening?

Your internal thermostat just went rogue. Here's why.

The quick explanation

Hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms) happen when shifting estrogen confuses the brain's temperature center. Your body thinks it's overheating and fires off cooling — sweat, flushing, heart racing — even when the room is fine.

Why this matters

Triggers are real (alcohol, spicy food, stress, warm rooms). Strategies actually work — from layered clothing to HRT.

Tiny action step

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Note the time of day your next hot flash hits, and what you ate or drank in the prior 2 hours.