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What are night sweats? |
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These are simply hot flashes that occur at night. They may be disruptive to sleep. Women will wake up hot and sweating, throwing off the covers, and then find themselves in a chill. |
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What causes a hot flash? |
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The exact mechanism of a hot flash is uncertain. We believe the drop in Estrogen around perimenopause and menopause causes a part of the brain called the hypothalamus to inappropriately regulate body temperature. The hypothalamus sends a message that the body is too hot when it’s not, and then starts the process of releasing excess heat from the body. It does this by causing blood vessels in the face, neck and chest to dilate. This results in the flushing and sweating associated with a hot flash. |
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Do all women have hot flashes? |
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The evidence says that 85% of women will experience hot flashes during their perimenopause and menopause. The extent to which each woman experiences them will vary. Some women have them rarely, while others may have several in an hour. They can be inconsequential to one woman and unbearable to another. |
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What is a yeast infection? |
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Yeast are fungi that live all over our bodies. They are part of the normal vaginal flora, so some yeast live in the vagina at all times without causing any problem. However, an over growth of yeast can cause skin irritation, often accompanied by itching or burning. Sometimes there is a thick white discharge and an odor, but not always. When this happens, the patient has a yeast infection. |
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How is a yeast infection treated? |
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Yeast infections are treated with anti-fungal medications in the form of pills that may be taken orally, or creams that are used vaginally. |
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