A hot flash is a sudden wave of heat through the face, neck and chest. Between 50 and 75% of women get hot flashes or night sweats in the menopause transition, and in the SWAN study frequent hot flashes lasted a median of 7.4 years. Here's what's happening in your body, how long they last, and what the research says helps.

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Chapters

0:00 Intro

0:16 What a hot flash is

0:38 Why it happens

1:21 How common, and how long

1:59 At night

2:41 In the moment

3:09 Options that work

4:18 When it isn't menopause

4:46 Takeaways

Sources

• How common: PubMed 36749328; 2023 review, PubMed 37388717

• Why it happens (the brain's thermostat, neurokinin B): PubMed 37388717

• How long (SWAN, 3,302 women): PubMed 25686030

• Night sweats and sleep (SWAN): PubMed 18652093

• CBT for insomnia in women with hot flashes: PubMed 27213646

• Hormone therapy and non-hormonal options: PubMed 36749328; The Menopause Society 2022 position statement, PubMed 35797481; The Menopause Society 2023 nonhormone therapy statement, PubMed 37252752; NICE NG23

• Lifestyle and triggers: NHS, Hot flushes

For information only, not a substitute for advice from your own doctor. Sweats with a fever, cough or weight loss, or palpitations with chest pain, need medical attention.