A hot flash is a brief, intense feeling of heat across your body. You may experience them during your menstrual cycle due to hormonal fluctuations or other causes.

You may feel a hot flash across the face, neck, and upper torso, which may last a few seconds or several minutes.

Symptoms of hot flashes typically include:

  • red, flushed skin
  • increased heart rate
  • extreme sweating
  • chills as the hot flash passes

Most people associate hot flashes with menopause, but they can also occur as part of your menstrual cycle well before you reach menopause. They can also result from other health conditions.

Could hot flashes be a symptom of perimenopause?

Hot flashes can occur due to perimenopause. Perimenopause typically occurs in your mid-40s to mid-50s, but it can also happen in your mid- to late 30s.

If you’re experiencing early perimenopause, you may have other indicators, such as shorter menstrual periods that occur less frequently.

While they can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue, hot flashes are generally not cause for concern if they aren’t accompanied by other symptoms.

Read on to learn more about hot flashes during your period, including why they happen, when they might indicate early menopause, how to manage them, and when to see a doctor.

Hot flashes most likely happen as a result of changing hormone levels in your body.

For example, during menopause, both estrogen and progesterone levels plummet. This is why people in perimenopause or menopause commonly experience hot flashes.

Similar hormonal changes also happen throughout your menstrual cycle, causing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which may include hot flashes for some people.

After you ovulate around the 14th day of your cycle, progesterone levels increase. This can cause a slight increase in your body temperature, though you may not notice it.

As progesterone levels rise, estrogen levels fall. This decrease may affect the function of your hypothalamus, the part of your brain that keeps your body temperature stable.

In response to lower estrogen levels, the brain may release norepinephrine and other hormones, which can make it more sensitive to small changes in body temperature.

As a result, it may send signals telling your body to sweat so you can cool off, even if you don’t really need to.

Medical Perspective

Hot flashes that occur during the menstrual cycle may signal early changes in ovarian hormone production and could indicate the onset of perimenopause. While occasional symptoms can be normal, it is important to discuss them with a doctor to rule out other causes and determine appropriate management.

— Stacy A. Henigsman, DO, MSCP

Learn more about how your sex hormones affect menstruation and other functions.

Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

While hot flashes can be a PMS symptom for some, they can be a symptom of early menopause, now known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), in others.

POI causes menopause symptoms earlier than your mid-40s to 50s, when menopause usually occurs. Despite the name of the condition, evidence suggests that ovaries can still function with POI, but that function is unpredictable.

Symptoms of POI can include:

  • infrequent and irregular periods
  • hot flashes or night sweats
  • mood changes
  • trouble concentrating
  • less interest in sex
  • pain during sex
  • vaginal dryness

POI can also increase your risk of heart disease, bone fractures, and infertility.

If you have symptoms of POI and know you may want to have children, it’s a good idea to mention your symptoms to your healthcare professional as soon as possible. Getting treatment for POI could potentially help increase your chance of becoming pregnant in the future.

Sometimes, hot flashes during your period could indicate a different medical issue or medication side effects.

Possible underlying causes of hot flashes other than menopause include:

Anxiety and stress can also cause symptoms that resemble hot flashes. For example, you might experience flushed skin, increased heart rate, and increased sweating as a result of an adrenaline rush, which often accompanies an anxiety or stress response.

You might also get hot flashes as a side effect of certain medications, including:

Hot flashes can be uncomfortable, but certain lifestyle practices may help reduce their severity or help you better manage them:

  • Diet changes: Cut back on caffeine, alcohol (especially red wine), spicy foods, aged cheese, and chocolate. These foods and beverages may trigger hot flashes and might also make them worse.
  • Wear layers: Dressing in layers can help you stay cool by providing an option to remove a layer when a hot flash occurs. Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics, such as cotton. If possible, keep your home and work environment cool with fans and open windows.
  • Avoid smoking, if you smoke: A healthcare professional can provide resources and guidance if you decide to quit smoking. Smoking may increase hot flashes and make them more severe.
  • Practice mindfulness: Practice relaxation techniques, including deep breathing, yoga, and meditation. Becoming more relaxed may not directly impact your hot flashes, but it may help make them easier to manage and improve your quality of life.
  • Hydrate: Keep cool water with you throughout the day and drink it when you feel a hot flash coming on.
  • Exercise: Make time for exercise most days. Getting enough exercise can provide several health benefits and may help you have fewer hot flashes.
  • Consume soy: Soy contains phytoestrogens, a chemical that may act like estrogen in your body. Some research suggests that eating soy may help reduce hot flashes. Other dietary supplements may also help.
  • Use a cool towel: Keep a small towel chilled in your refrigerator to place on your face or around your neck when you have a hot flash. You can also use a cool washcloth or cold compress for the same effect.

Medical treatments such as hormone replacement therapy and low dose antidepressants may also help treat hot flashes in some people.

If you get frequent or severe hot flashes that have a negative impact on your daily life, you may want to talk with your doctor about possible treatment options.

If you only have hot flashes just before your period starts or when you have your period, and you don’t have other symptoms, you likely don’t need to be too concerned. Still, it may be worth following up with your healthcare professional just to be sure.

Sometimes, hot flashes may indicate a serious condition. Talk with your healthcare professional if you get regular hot flashes along with:

  • appetite changes
  • difficulty sleeping
  • fever
  • unexplained weight loss
  • unexplained rash
  • swollen lymph nodes

You might also consider talking with a therapist, especially if hot flashes cause mood changes or increase feelings of anxiety or stress.

You can talk with a primary care doctor or a family doctor, who both treat general health conditions, or an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB-GYN), who specializes in female reproductive health. Depending on the cause of hot flashes, a doctor may also recommend a specialist.

Find a medical specialist in your area today

Your healthcare team may comprise several people who can provide support.

Sometimes, a medical specialist will be required to help diagnose, manage, or treat a healthcare condition.

You can find the following medical specialists in your area today:

Hot flashes during your period can be a symptom of PMS or a potential indicator that you’re approaching perimenopause or menopause. But hot flashes can also indicate an underlying medical condition like a nutrient deficiency or a thyroid condition.

Make an appointment with your healthcare professional if you regularly get hot flashes during your period, especially if you’re under 40.