A hot flash is described as a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the upper body and usually lasts for around five minutes. While hot flashes are indeed a common early symptom of menopause (usually beginning in the later years of perimenopause), as many as 1 in 4 women don’t experience hot flashes at all. Instead, the first signs of menopause may manifest themselves through fatigue, sleep issues, irregular or heavy periods and changes in libido. If you are unsure as to whether certain symptoms are the result of menopause or another more serious condition, talk to your doctor.
