What causes hot flashes and sweating during menopause?

Menopausal hot flashes and sweating are common symptoms experienced by women during menopause, and the main causes are as follows: 1. **Decline in estrogen levels**: During menopause, ovarian function gradually declines, leading to a significant decrease in estrogen levels. This increase in the sensitivity of the body's temperature regulation center results in episodes of hot flashes and sweating. 2. **Autonomic nervous system dysfunction**: Reduced estrogen levels can disrupt the balance of the autonomic nervous system, causing autonomic dysfunction, which manifests as symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. 3. **Vasomotor instability**: Fluctuations in estrogen levels also affect vascular function, causing blood vessels to rapidly dilate and constrict within a short period of time, thereby triggering hot flashes and sweating. These symptoms are among the prominent features of menopausal syndrome, with approximately 80% of postmenopausal women experiencing vasomotor symptoms, most of which last for about one year. If symptoms severely affect quality of life, timely medical consultation is recommended, and treatment and management should be conducted under a physician's guidance.