These episodes occur at irregular intervals from a few to many times a day and may awaken the patient at night. It is important to remember that this and other menopausal symptoms may have their onset prior to actual cessation of the menses, since estrogen levels fall progressively in the perimeno-pausal period. Investigations have shown that these episodes, objectively identifiable by altered skin and core temperature and skin resistance, precede LH and FSH secretory rises by just a few minutes. Black women and obese women were more likely to have hot flashes in all cases. Hot flashes are experienced by both men and women .
Men also report hot flashes as a result of treatment for prostate cancer .
Approximately two-thirds of men receiving Lupron, Leuprolide, Zoladex, and Buserelin report having hot flashes. A hot flash may be so brief and mild that the temperature change is barely noticeable. Flushing or sweating may occur, but may not be extreme. Moderate hot flashes include a warm to extremely warm feeling accompanied by sweating and the reddening of the skin. A severe hot flash may cause a person to experience an intense hot feeling, heavy sweating, and skin flushing.