Written by Clare Widzgowski
Felt a Cold Flash After a Hot Flash?
Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of perimenopause. It is estimated that 75% of all menopausal women have experienced a hot flash during the day night or night time, called night sweats. If you have a hot flash, you might experience red or blotchy skin, a sudden warm feeling in the upper body, and/or heart palpitations. You can learn more about hot flashes here.
So if hot flashes are so common, why are you suddenly feeling so cold?
Cold flashes, a sudden drop in body temperature causing shivers and chills, is caused by the same mechanism thought to cause hot flashes. The key hormone involved in perimenopause, estrogen, controls the regulation of many body systems including temperature.
The brain area that controls temperature is called the hypothalamus. Estrogen helps to regulate the hypothalamus so that your internal temperature stays relatively constant with only minor fluctuations. When estrogen levels begin to decrease in perimenopause, the hypothalamus becomes hypersensitive and can overshoot adjusting your temperature. Cold flashes often follow hot flashes as the hypothalamus tries to rapidly cool down the body right after it turned up the heat in a hot flash.
Cold flashes and hot flashes are common symptoms of menopause, however, if they are interfering with your quality of life and sleep, you should speak to a medical provider. They can help determine the cause of your cold flashes. Aside from declining estrogen levels, cold flashes can be caused by panic attacks, anxiety, poor blood circulation, anemia, thyroid issues, and low blood sugar. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your cold flashes and provide treatment or symptom relief if possible.
Disclaimer: At It’sFetch.co we strive to provide valuable and reliable health information through our blog. We believe in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. However, it is important to understand that the content on our blog is not intended to replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified medical professional.
Sources:
Perry, S. (2021, June 21). Cold flashes during menopause: Yes, that’s a thing. Gennev: Integrated care for menopause. https://www.gennev.com/education/menopause-cold-flashesYun, E. (2022, August 18). Menopausal cold flashes. EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/what-are-menopause-cold-flashes/
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