Do not attempt to diagnose yourself with a medical condition, even if your symptoms match those typical of a certain disorder. If your symptoms concern you, the best thing to do is to seek medical advice. Your physician may perform diagnostic tests to determine whether you have entered menopause. A decrease in estrogens is the predominant trigger of hot flashes. However, several substances, including caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, can cause the onset of hot flashes due to their effect upon the circulatory system.
Stress can also lead to hot flash episodes.
Even a warm room can bring on hot flashes. Fluctuating sensations of hot and cold are disruptive to a woman's sense of well-being, control, even relationships. Around the time of menopause, your body undergoes a number of important changes due to the decrease of estrogen production. You and your doctor may decide to use hormone replacement therapy, including estrogen. But estrogen supplements may not be appropriate for you.