A hot flush is a sudden feeling of intense heat, usually in the face, neck and chest, often followed by sweating and sometimes a rapid heartbeat. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, and they can be uncomfortable, disruptive and — when they happen at work or at night — genuinely distressing

Hot flushes are caused by changes in oestrogen levels during the menopause transition. These hormonal changes affect the body's temperature regulation system, making it more sensitive and reactive. The brain misreads the body's temperature and triggers a cooling response — which is the flush itself

Up to 80% of women experience hot flushes during the menopause transition. For most, they last between two and five years, though for some women they continue longer. You are not alone — and they are not something you simply have to put up with

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for hot flushes is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) as an effective approach for managing menopausal symptoms. It works not by stopping the flush itself, but by changing how your body and mind respond to it — reducing their frequency, intensity and impact on your daily life. The evidence comes from NHS randomised controlled trials and is the basis of the British Menopause Society CBT programme.