What are the symptoms of hot flashes?

A feeling of sudden warmth that spreads throughout the face and upper body, rapid heartbeat, upper body perspiration and a flushed appearance characterized by red, blotchy skin are all symptoms of hot flashes, according to Mayo Clinic. As hot flashes subside, a chilled feeling may be experienced.

Hot flashes usually subside in just a few minutes, and they vary widely in frequency, states Mayo Clinic. Some women may experience a number of hot flashes per day, while others may have only a few. Hot flashes tend to occur during the nighttime hours, and women who have hot flashes usually experience them for greater than a year. Hot flashes usually go away on their own within 4 to 5 years of their onset.