Menopausal Signs - Hot Flashes Causes Temperature Regulating System Changes

People say that women should age gracefully as wine does. But with the onset of menopause, it is sometimes hard. Women who are undergoing menopause do not only deal with physical changes but systemic changes as well. The changes affect the whole well-being of the woman, making her irritable and, in some cases make her look unappealing. One of the signs of menopause is hot flash. It causes women to be irritated because it is a glowing or burning sensation accompanied by sweating that is usually felt in the neck, face and chest.

Hot flashes are usually felt by 75% of women who are undergoing menopause. These are found to be severe at night and are usually known as "night sweats". Some women experience mild attacks per week which occurs in a short period of time. Some women will experience it for about 50 times a day for many years while severe cases are reported to have 6-7 attacks in an hour. The condition, mild or severe can be experienced for up to 5 years, although there may be times that a woman might experience a flash-free period but it can only happen for a short period of time, after which the symptoms will return.

Studies show that it cause the increase of the pituitary hormone known as the Follicle Stimulating Hormone or the FSH. The increase of the FSH is due to the decrease in size of the ovaries and the decrease in the secretion of estrogen. As the secretion of the estrogen decreases, the blood vessel muscles become unstable. This is called "vasomotor instability".

Aside from the causes, there is also an effect in a woman's body system. It causes the decrease in the level of adrenal hormones.

In general, menopause causes the temperature regulating system of a woman to change. The sweat glands give insufficient output due to the lack of estrogen. There is also a change in the beam chemistry of a woman and this affects the hypothalamus's control center for the body temperature. Menopause also causes the body temperature of a woman to have a lower reference point. As a result, the blood in the skin and sweat glands become dilated as the woman's body tries to reset its inner thermostat.

All the effects of menopause can make a woman feel awkward and it reflects in her physical appearance. To minimize the severity of these effects, it is advisable that she change her lifestyle and diet, do regular exercises and meditation, and some complementary therapies could also be taken for her to be able to cope up with the effects of menopause.

Menopause can have a great impact on a woman's well-being and lifestyle. Hot flashes causes a chain of reactions in the woman's body and, like all the effects of menopause, these are reflected in her physical and emotional state.

Jim F. Roberts has been expertly writing articles for 5 years on a variety of topics of interest. He also found a great resource on hot flashes causes that can also help ease menopause experience by your sister, mom, grandma or your loved one.