3. Hot flashes
The marked decrease in estrogen production that occurs during menopause causes significant changes in the body’s Temperature-Regulating Center of the brain. These changes generate imbalances in the control of body temperature, which often results in women experiencing sudden episodes of intense heat and profuse sweating. These episodes are colloquially known as hot flashes, can last anywhere from 2 to 12 minutes each, and are perhaps the most common sign of menopause.
It is estimated that close to one-quarter of all menopausal women experience moderate to severe hot flashes fairly regularly. The exact impact that this annoying side effect will have on a woman’s quality of life will depend on their intensity and frequency, but they are regularly ranked as one of the most disruptive changes of menopause.