# hot flashes w/o menopause **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 26, 2001, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-w-o-menopause/55891 "2001-02-26T04:21:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MissMisery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@MissMisery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissMisery)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-w-o-menopause/55891/1 "2001-02-26T04:21:58Z")
When doing an internet search on hot flashes all of the sites that came up were associated with menopause. Are hot flashes a common symptom of other things? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-w-o-menopause/55891/2 "2001-02-26T04:32:26Z")
Hot flashes can be a symptom of things other than menopause. Except for menopause, the most common cause is so-called “idiopathic” meaning that no cause is apparent! Some other causes include: - drug or surgical treatment to induce “menopause” in men eg. medical or surgical castration for prostate cancer - carcinoid syndrome (quite rare) - pheochromocytoma (fairly rare) - mastocytosis (very rare) - hyperthyroidism (usually a constant hot feeling, not just flashes) Bottom line: \>99.9% are associated with menopause or are idiopathic. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-w-o-menopause/55891/3 "2001-02-26T14:48:21Z")
Just skimming. Try “Thermoregulatory Dysfunction”. Fibromyalgia. Something called a “thyroid storm”. [http://www.doctorgeorge.com/clinic/thyroid\_storm.htm](http://www.doctorgeorge.com/clinic/thyroid_storm.htm) > [@](#): > > Thyroid storm is a sudden exacerbation of the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. It is life-threatening. In most cases, a precipitating event can be identified. Thyroid storm may occur with an infection, thyroid surgery, or radioactive administration. Something called “Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome”. [http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic339.htm](http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic339.htm) > [@](#): > > The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare, but life-threatening, idiosyncratic reaction to a neuroleptic medication. The syndrome is characterized by fever, muscular rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction. > > Although potent neuroleptics (e.g., haloperidol, fluphenazine)are more frequently associated with NMS, all antipsychotic agents, typical or atypical, may precipitate the syndrome [eg, prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal). NMS has also been associated with non-neuroleptic agents that block central dopamine pathways [e.g.,metoclopramide (Reglan), amoxapine (Ascendin), lithium]. Are you trying to diagnose somebody who’s having hot flashes (unexplained fevers) but who couldn’t possibly be menopausal? If so, then we’re talking “serious doctor time”, babe. ☹ We’re talking endocrine and metabolic disorders. Fibromyalgia’s not life-threatening, but the other two things are. And like I said, I was just skimming the surface. Have it checked out. P.S. There is also something called a Fever of Unknown Origin, or FUO. This is different from hot flashes and also ought to be checked out by a doctor. Hot flashes, by definition, come and go, but the FUO stays and stays and stays. Sometimes FUOs turn out to be mononucleosis. I had mono years ago and had fever spikes every afternoon for months after the mono itself was pronounced “cured”. And I was only 21, so it couldn’t have been hot flashes. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2001, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-flashes-w-o-menopause/55891/4 "2001-02-26T14:53:44Z")
And a “duh” moment hits (they always wait until after you’ve gone back to the Forum–why is that?) If you ARE trying to diagnose somebody, when the hot flash hits, stick a thermometer in his mouth and take his temperature. Hot flashes don’t always register on a thermometer, because it’s your skin that’s flushed and hot, not your body core temperature. “Hot flash” is different from “fever”. You’ll need data anyway, if you’re going to talk to a doctor.