Menopause
The 'menopause' literally means the last menstrual period. For most women, it occurs in the early 50s, but some women notice changes in their menstrual cycle for some years before this. The menopause is caused by a fall in the amount of the hormone estrogen that is produced by the ovaries.
Hot flushes
Many women have hot flushes (sometimes called 'hot flashes') around the menopause. These may begin a year or two before the last period. Usually, they occur for a year or two, but if you are unlucky they may persist for 10 years, or even longer. In fact, about a third of 60-year-old women are still having hot flushes. Some women have them only occasionally, perhaps a few times a month, but most women experience them much more frequently, often many times a day.
If you have hot flushes, you know what they are like. Sometimes there is a slight feeling of faintness beforehand. Then your face, chest and back become burning hot, red and sweaty. This is more likely to happen if you are already anxious, such as in an important meeting or interview - which is just when you don't want it to happen. Flushes can also be triggered by being in a hot environment, or by hot foods and drinks. Flushes are also common during the night - 'night sweats'.
