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

[ConcernedMom62]

I am 50, and have been struggling with hot flashes and interrupted sleep for about four years, with the last two being particularly bad.  My gyno recommended black cohosh (545 mg, not to exceed 900 mg per day) and valerian root (1030 mg).  Do a little research about them, as at least one of them can elevate liver enzymes - but after taking them both in the am, and the valerian again at night for about two weeks, the flashes have reduced significantly.  But I have been packing on the weight this summer, which is frustrating.  Good luck!

[laura247]

I am 50 since 11/2012 I haven't had a period since April 2013 then about 4 weeks ago I started with the hot flashes.  I had no idea that this was just going to be the beginning of a very long process....kind of depressing.  I only have about 4-6 h.f. a day and maybe 1 during the night...I count my self as lucky compared to some of you....how horrible that some of you hardly get any sleep...don't know how one functions without a decent night sleep...ugh.  I can only pray mine don't increase, but it sounds like they likely will some day.  I am going to try all of the remedies that have been mentioned above...would be wonderful if one of them worked.  Oh I do have another to add.  It didn't work for me, but my message therapist said many do get relief from it.  The dose varies so it may take some time to determine how much to take....Apple Cider vinegar 1-4 tablespoons twice a day.  I tried it for about 4 days and didn't feel any difference so I quit (I just drank it straight and plugged my nose and then drank juice to get taste out).  You can mix it with whatever you want if you choose.  She then told me about trying Black Cohosh...so that is next on my list.  Good luck to you all....I will be praying for all of you too if you don't mind....I just feel so bad that we all have to go through this for such a long period of time...it's quite ridiculous.

[lilly499]

Hi..I went into this curse at 40, I am now 58...did the same thing went off the HRT and thought hmmmm maybe I don't need em anymore...NOT...I need em, the sweats are still comin on and scatter brained...so got my doctor to reorder my HRT's...so that makes it 18 years for me...the I went from a size 5 to a 14 over the years and my hair has thinning badly....I'm hanging in there and patiently waiting on my script for my HRT to come thru....how much longer, I was honestly wondering if it may be something else but all the blood tests do not lead to anything else, my Mom wasn't even this bad...

[JasNick]

I have been having hot flushes for 13 years!.  It is driving me nuts.  It is worse at night and I really dont thinkd I have had a full nights sleep in all that time.  I have neverheard of PHYO Soy but I wll certainly give it a try.  If someone told me to put a bucket on my head and jive with a chicken I would give it a go if it stopped them.

[Mishoga]

OMG, your story sounds like mine. I entered full menopause in september 2012. I had a couple of hot flashes during my 12 month count but didnt realize that was what they were until I passed my 12 month mark and then wham, hot flashes came on suddenly and often. I take black cohosh and it seems to help a lot, but not so much with the night sweats. Now the anxiety and depression? Well that is just downright ridiculous. I hate it. It has made me anti-social. And now I am starting with insomnia.
I hate menopause. Oh yeah, the 20 extra pounds is no fun either

[taximomuv3]

I forgot to add that the hotflashes are 24/7 - about one an hour or so - sometimes more, sometimes less - but they are definitely worse at night.  I am 49, and periods are now irregular.