First of all, I am SOOO happy I found this site.  I am 41 and think I am starting perimenopause.  I am more moody, get dizzy at times, hot a lot,  cry more easily, bloating and depression more often.  I do figure this to be perimenopausal related.  What I'd like to know is what exactly is a hot flash.  I''m not sure that is what I get.  I'll explain more.  Off and on all day and maybe once or twice at night now I just get suddenly hot all over.  I hear of night sweats, but I appear to get sudden hot spells more during the day.  Off and on all day I go from feeling comfortable to suddenly warm all over.  I don't get like real red in the face ..only rarely.  Is this all part of what's considered a hot flash?  I'm new to all this so I appreciate all your help.  thanks for a wonderful place for me now to come for help.  

I, too, have recently started experiencing "hot flashes" and they are just as you describe...a sudden hot feeling that lasts under a minute several times a day.  At night, I have also been waking up...not knowing what woke me up, but now am wondering if it was due to a change in my temperature.

I am sure the flashes are a little different in everybody, but I did identify with your post.  I am 48 and haven't had a period in 4 months so I think this may be the beginning.  Good luck with any other "changes" you may experience.

Thanks for your reply Jaycee.  I guess we'll survive meno lol, we have no other choice than to fight it out.  As I read on a web site, it's puberty only in reverse..makes sense huh? thanks again!!!  :)