a sudden feeling of heat often associated with sweating and accompanied by warm hands, a slightly faster heart rate and higher blood pressure. The intensity of hot flushes varies from a mild warm feeling without sweating to "a tropical rain storm." Hot flushes originate in the hypothalamus that is exposed to estrogen withdrawal after first becoming habituated to high estrogen. It involves a fundamental change in temperature regulation. Hot flushes may begin in perimenopause (especially in women who have experienced high estrogen signs such as increased premenstrual symptoms). Hot flushes are maximal during the year following the final menstrual period. Men having anti-androgen treatment for prostate cancer may also experience them. These are sometimes called hot flashes and along with night sweats are part of a general experience called vasomotor symptoms.

a flushed or blushed feeling of the face, neck and upper chest

a hot flash plus a visual appearance of redness in the face and neck

a sudden and intense feeling of heat in the upper part or all of the body

a sudden feeling of being overheated, usually accompanied by sweating and redness in the face

a sudden feeling of heat that rushes to the upper body and face

a sudden feeling of heat that spreads over the face and body

a sudden sensation of intense heat in the upper part or all of the body and may mark the beginning of menopause in many women

a sudden sensation of intense heat which is usually accompanied by perspiration and reddening of the skin

a sudden transient sensation ranging from warmth to intense heat and typically accompanied by flushing and perspiration

A sudden flash of heat particularly affecting the face, neck and chest and lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. It may spread over the upper part of the body and be accompanied by sweating. Hot flushes are most commonly due to low oestrogen levels related to the pre-menopause.

A sudden rush of heat to the face, neck, sometimes chest and back. It can be associated with hormonal therapy for prostate cancer.