Starting in the center of the body, a flash of heat spreads like a wall of flame to the top of the head, flushing the face, neck and arms a fiery red, and making skin warm to the touch. The flash can last from seconds to 30 minutes and is accompanied by increased heart rate, shallow breathing, and sweating. A chill and exhaustion usually follow. Hot flashes can occur as many as 50 times a day. Because of these sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue can become a problem.
Sex often becomes painful.
Urinary incontinence may also become a problem. Some women's bodies may produce the tiny amount needed through the adrenal glands. Many women, however, lose all testosterone, and with it their sex drive. Since women today live an average of 35 years longer than they did 150 years ago, scientists have only recently come to understand the long-term outcomes of living without the protective effects of estrogen. Ongoing studies have confirmed these effects, and women should be aware of them in order to avoid serious health risks.