Night sweats and hot flashes - how long will they continue?

[pamzart]

I am 50 and have been in menopause for about 14 months.

Since April of last year, I have experienced periods of INTENSE hot flashes and night sweats - sometimes 30 within 24 hours!  These periods last 6-8 weeks and then the hot flashes reduce in intensity and occurance gradually over the next 10 weeks.  Then, unfortunately, they start again.  I am currently in my 3rd cycle of this pattern.

I haven't had a period since November 2005. My GYN has done blood tests - I'm definately menopausal.  I am not taking HRT.  I am taking herbs - I can't tell if they're helping or not.  I eat healthy food - no meat - lots of vegies.  I exercise a lot.

How long does menopause usually last?  Am I close to the end of this Hot Flash torture?

Pam

[sherrylm1976]

Does anyone have reflux with their hotflashes? I sometimes worry I am going to have a heart attack......But I know it is aniexty

[coyotyugly1]

I have been post menapausal since my late twenties and have experienced hot flashes from the beginning I am now 60 years old and the hot flashes are still going strong. I have tried everthing from hrt to herbal remedies and absolutely nothing works and it don't get any better with time I have been told by my doctor that the flashes will never go away.

[fanlady]

I'm hearing you.. Men have very little understanding of what a lot of women endure. Wonder how many male doctors take this seriously. I fear i am going mad at times.It is just on 20 years since i had my hysterectomy. Straight into menopause at 37 is not fun!  Tried all the naturopathic remedies, increased my Soy content, water,  flaxseed, cut out sugar,caffeine, alcohol, don't use marj/ butter spreads.Cook only with light sprinkle of Olive Oil. Have tried anti depressants.Having a family history of heart and thyroid disease limited the type of HRT i could use. Until recently i used  HRT ( patches and pills) with mild effect ( still suffered 2 or 3 night sweats and 4 to 5 hot flushes during the day) Have not had a decent or uninterrupted sleep for over 10 years.Not fun working in retail sector working up a sweat in front of customers. Very debilitating and embarrassing. Have a foggy feeling in the head most of the time. Being anxious or flustered can bring on an internal!. I carry a little hand held fan in my bag wherever i go, it's my best friend. We recently lost our daughter to estrogen positive Breast Cancer. The jury is still out on whether soy products and other phyto estrogens and xeno estrogens ( plastics etc)  are cancer causing. So i am now off HRT and have tossed out all products related to soy. Sweats in the day are again every 30 mins and about every 2hrs at night. Have a friend who swears by estrogen capsules that is rubbed directly onto her tummy each night. Dr would not prescribe for me though as it could unfortunately increase the risk of breast cancer. I feel like i am getting no where fast.Last 20 yrs are a blur.  Surely this cannot go on forever?

[Sweatinginthesnow]

I have had hot flashes for almost ten years and lately they have become worse.  I also have insomnia and am becoming more forgetful.  I am going to consult my doctor and ask her to test for hyperthyroidism.

I have taken HRT in the past and would be willing to discuss this again with the doctor.  I laugh when I read posts telling me, "Oh, you can't do that because you might get cancer."  Insomnia is also a health risk.  It causes weight gain, fatigue, problems with memory, and depression for every sufferer.  It also increases risks for heart disease and diabetes.  

If men suffered from hot flashes, there would be an effective treatment for it.  Just sayin'.

[rayneparade]

yes.

I was able to eliminate my hot flashes for a couple of years with a weekly estrogen patch, but now they have come back especially at night.  I am now 53. Not sure if a higher dose will help...I had planned to stop the patch in five years to reduce cancer risk.   Now I'm not sure how my body will react.

[JanieDe]

Hormone Replacement Therapy