hot flush

colloquialism for a vasomotor symptom of the climacteric characterized by sudden vasodilation with a sensation of heat, usually involving the face and neck, and upper part of the chest. Compare: hot flash.

Synonym(s): hot flash

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

hot flush

n. Chiefly British

A hot flash.

A symptom complex afflicting 80–85% of middle-aged women, first occurring during perimenopause, continuing with decreased intensity for years, appearing as transient waves of erythaema and uncomfortable warmth beginning in the upper chest, face and neck, followed by fine sweating and chills. Hot flashes are precipitated by emotional stress, meals and environmental cues, and are more intense if ovaries are surgically removed than if the decline of ovarian function is less abrupt
Mechanism Hot flashes are attributed to central alpha2-adrenergic activity
Aetiology Idiopathic, due to response of autonomic nervous system to decreased oestrogens; they are responsible for osteoporosis, atrophy of vaginal epithelium, leukorrhea and pruritus
Management While hormones—e.g., oestrogens in women and androgens in men—ameliorate symptoms of age-related hormonal decline, they are contraindicated in women with breast cancer, and in men with prostate cancer; megestrol acetate decreases hot flashes by 85%—vs. 20% with placebos. Oestrogen replacement ‘drives’ proliferation of endometrial tissue, which may result in adenomatous hyperplasia and occasionally endometrial carcinoma
Note: Hot flashes occur in eunuchs and in most men who have been acutely deprived of testosterone as in castration, a therapeutic modality for advanced prostate carcinoma; diethylstilbestrol may stop the flashes, but exacerbates cardiovascular disease and blood clots; in Europe, cyproterone acetate is used

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

Pharmacologically St John's wort extracts may exert effects on menopausal symptoms in a similar way to CNS acting agents such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and dopamine via the complex interaction between hormones and neurotransmitters involved in the physiology of hot flushes. Hypericum is a potent uptake inhibitor of serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, GABA and L-glutamate (Misane 2001, Muller 2001, Nathan 2001, Wonneman 2001).

Phytotherapeutic treatments for menopause related symptoms

The proving symptoms that apply here include hot flushes, frequent sighing, anxiety which is worse during hot flushes, vaginal sensitivity, severe depression which often alternates with excitability, and perspiration occurring in isolated areas, especially during the forenoon.

Homoeopathy for menopause

Lowest effective transdermal 17beta-estradiol dose for relief of hot flushes in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

What's the lowest effective estrogen dose for hot flushes?

Possible factors include the differences in study design and sample size, differences in the type of dietary advice provided, the definition of hot flush used, genetic and cultural differences in study populations and the inclusion of peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women.

Trifolium pratense isoflavones in the treatment of menopausal hot flushes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A Medline search identified 24 clinical trials assessing efficacy of seven NPS for treatment of hot flushes in symptomatic menopausal women; 19 were randomised placebo-controlled trials.

Does scientific evidence support the use of non-prescription supplements for treatment of acute menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes?

Insomnia is also one of the symptoms of the menopause, along with hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings

Women warned to stop putting magnets near their vaginas to cure hot flashes; LadyCare magnets claim to also relieve period pain and stress

Steven Crumblehulme, 38, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, created a mix of essential oils that drastically reduces the intensity of 59-year-old Karen's debilitating hot flushes and itchy skin.a[umlaut]

'Miracle' menopause cream deals with 'crippling' symptoms - and works in seconds; Steven Crumblehulme, from Cheltenham, had developed the cream to help his mum, Karen

They analysed 60 women with menopause symptoms based on criteria of at least five severe hot flushes per day and blood tests (including FSH, that indicates the "stage" of menopause).

Fermented red clover during menopause cuts risk of mood swings, bone loss

The diagnosis of menopause can usually be ascertained from some of the vasomotor symptoms and prolonged episode of ammenorrhea.3Vasomotor symptoms include hot flushes, night sweats and palpitations.

Comparison of vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women with different socio-economic status

Hot Flush runs at the Lichfield Garrick until tomorrow.

Hilarious romp naughty but nice

"On the back of Dorien, I think Hot Flush is absolutely the right thing to be seen in next.

Flushed with the success; Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph continues to fly high as she brings her Hot Flush comedy to Scotland. Here, she reveals how she uses her cheeky TV character Dorien in the new role

There's that CBT is helpful with As well as helping to alleviate symptoms like hot flushes, HRT can also protect the bones because oestrogen is important for bone density.

So should you be taking HRT? HRT safety has been making headlines recently. Michele O'Connor asks the experts about options worth trying