Hot flashes, known clinically as vasomotor symptoms, are the most frequently reported symptom of menopause, affecting up to 80% of women. They are characterized by a sudden, intense sensation of heat that spreads through the upper body and can be accompanied by a flushed face, heavy sweating, heart palpitations, and feelings of anxiety. These episodes typically last between 30 seconds and 10 minutes and are caused by fluctuating estrogen levels impacting the hypothalamus, the brain’s temperature-control center. When these hot flashes occur during sleep, they are called night sweats and can be severe enough to drench sheets and significantly disrupt rest.