Symptoms of hot flashes during female menopause and their difference from heat

Symptoms of menopausal hot flashes in women are primarily characterized by sudden feelings of body heat and sweating, often accompanied by facial flushing, palpitations, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, and other discomforts. This sensation of heat is not caused by an actual rise in body temperature, but rather by autonomic nervous system dysfunction due to declining estrogen levels. Specifically: 1. Difference between hot flashes and fever: Hot flashes typically occur in the afternoon, evening, or at night, lasting from several seconds to several minutes—or even longer. Although patients feel intense skin heat and sweat profusely, their measured body temperature remains normal. In contrast, fever is caused by an actual elevation in body temperature and is often accompanied by symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat—typical signs of a cold—and usually requires medical treatment to resolve. 2. Characteristics of menopausal hot flashes: In addition to the sensation of heat, menopausal hot flashes may also be associated with palpitations, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety, significantly affecting women's quality of life and mental health. Menopausal hot flashes represent a distinct type of heat sensation that markedly differs from ordinary fever.