Hot flashes are primarily caused by a decrease in estrogen levels, which commonly occurs during menopause or surgical menopause. The drop in estrogen affects the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls body temperature, leading it to mistakenly sense that the body is overheating. This triggers the body to cool down by dilating blood vessels and activating sweat glands, resulting in the sensation of sudden heat, flushing, and sweating.
Other causes and triggers of hot flashes include hormonal changes related to pregnancy, certain medical conditions (e.g., thyroid disorders, infections), some medications, and lifestyle factors such as stress, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods, and hot environments.
The precise mechanism involves a disrupted internal thermostat in the hypothalamus, which can cause the body to overreact to normal temperature changes. Although estrogen withdrawal is a key factor, it alone does not fully explain hot flashes, suggesting other complex neurochemical factors are involved.
In summary, hot flashes are mainly due to hormonal changes, especially decreased estrogen, which affect the brain's temperature regulation system, with many lifestyle and external factors potentially triggering or exacerbating them.
