Hot flushes?

I have been having hot flushes for the last two months and had them at the same time last year. I am not sure if they are related to the menopause or something else. I am 47 and I suppose it could be the menopause. It just seems a bit odd to have them only for a few months each year . Has anyone got any ideas as to what it could be? and what is causing it. I have them on average every half an hour. They are driving me mad and I really would like to know if there is anything I can do to stop them HELP.