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

[missers]

You can expect the hot flashes and night sweats to last for years after the onset of full menopause.  The herbs are not causing the symptoms and HRT is supposed to help reduce them.  However, I would be cautious of HRT because there is conflicting evidence on whether or not HRT increases a post menopausal woman to develop breast cancer.  Something to discuss with your doctor.  You should discuss your symptoms with your doctor and ask about ways to help alleviate them.

[Desparateforhelp]

As in the previous post, I suffer severe post menapausal night sweats and hot flashes.  I have not been able to et more than 1 1/2 hour sleep at a time in months.  I am sure I am losing my mind.  I cannot take HRT due to previous breast cancer.  Nothing I have tried works.  I am willing to take the HRT risks, even if it costs me a few years of life, as I now have no life.  I cannot remember the last time I felt good or had a good nohts sleep.  I do take Fentanyl Patch (50 MG) and hydracodone (10m) for severe back pain.  I have heard that these drugs can cause night sweats but cannot find any hard evidence yet.  In  any case, without the Fentanyl I could not live at all with the back pain. Also, I take zanax,and sometimes Soma, mostly at night as sometimes they do help me to at least fall asleep.  My doctor has no options I have not tried.

They shoot horses, don't they?  

[houstonian]

i've been told and read that hot flashes can last 10 years or more. i'm going on at least 10 and they are just now getting worse. but it's different for every woman.

[wendyb46]

Hi Pam

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[wendyb46]

Hi Pam

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[wendyb46]

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[canihelp]

I am 51 and I got Natural hormone pellets over 4 mos ago inserted in hip.  This procedure is not covered by insurance, but only cost $200- a small price to pay for it.  Within a day or two the hot flashes stopped.  The only problem was; the estrogen in the pellets became dominant and I started having periods again--no matter how much progetin I took.  That was a problem the full 4 months.  However, because of the testoterone in the pellets & all the estrogen/progetin, I felt stronger and less PVCs than I'd felt in a long time.  I'd advise if you decide to get these, go on the "low" side with the estrogen, especially if you haven't been menopausal very long.  I'd only had hot flashes for a couple months.  So I guess my body started producing erratic.  They did take a blood test first to see how low I was.  I was very low on everything.  Now-- over 4 months later, all of a sudden they are all GONE, and I'm having a hard time!!!! Having PVC's (heart arrythimias)- and feel nervous like PMS all the time.  I'm not having hot flashes again yet.

I plan to go get my blood tested again this week & see what my levels are & act accordingly.  There is also a natural pill under tongue called Trochee' that has natural estrogen/progestin/testosterone that I may try.  You can always stop if they don't work good, but the pellets are there for 4 months once you get them.  It is minor (very minor) surgery.

Id highly suggest them if your doctor agrees that they don't produce the side effects of the other type of HRT.

good luck.

[KathyJoyce]

I have also been experiencing very frequent hot flushes, both during the day and night. However I am taking black cohosh and it does seem to be helping.

www.sleepdisorders-advice.com

[Kufa]

I use to have 20/day until i started taking cold milled flaxseed!!!  It has to be milled - NOT the whole seed!!! Take four (4) tablespoons per day - two in am and two in pm.  Do Not put it on anything hot as heat e destroys the omega fatty acids. Put on cold cereal , salads, smoothies or anything you can bt make certain its cold or room temp.  I guarantee if u do this faithfully for two weeks Your Hot Flashes Will be Gone , Completely!!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!

[bobkat69]

How long have u been doing this ? I am 55   Have had my period since May of 2011. Now HOTTTTTTTT Flashhhhhhhhh city .. I am willing to try any thing I am at wits end.I will do this
Thank You,
Kat in Neosho, Mo

[josmoe]

TEN YEARS?! You say 10 YEARS these hot flashes could run? Nohooooo....

Doc said to ask mom how long her hot flashes lasted because her hot flashes are a good indication of how our hot flashes will go, too.

[Lindahotfemail]

Sorry if this is scarey but I've been having hot flushes for 16 years and they are now getting worse, I get them every half an hour or so and have tried so many remedies that I could open a health shop.

At the moment when I have a hot flush I also get a pounding in my head so the best thing for me to do is to ride it out by just sitting still until it passes.

Not much help I know but keep your chin up.

[sober1469]

I stopped periods and just went right into menopause at age 42 (now I am 58).  For me the hot flashes have never stopped.  It gets so bad I can't even talk to someone without frying.  I am on HRT and have been the whole time.  I try every so often to stop HRT, but always end up back on it.  Now the last time I tried to stop HRT I got insomnia too.  I can tell you that HRT really works.  I have a sense of well being when I am on it.  I highly recommend it.

[Magas]

I to have sweats. I had a hysterectomy in Feb 2011. The sweats kicked in one day later. I've tried everything but HRT. However 3 weeks ago my Chemist advised me to use PHYO Soy. I tell you I have gone from 7 sweats a day to 2/3 and sleep no problem. Try them.

[scandalous]

Interesting. Do all of you exercise very regularly and eat healthy? I believe I am just entering menopause, and the worst symptoms are my moods. I have maybe a hot flash a week. I didnt have a period last month. I'm thinking that my hot flashes correlated with my diet. For me when I don't eat grains at all (they really arent necessary) and get most of my carbs from veggies I do really much better.

I also do better when I get enough cardio. I strength train a lot and am really strong for a woman my age (50)

IDK rather than popping a pill for those of you that havent tried dietary changes and vigorous exercise....

[mabaker58]

Thank you for that information, I have been having hot flashes and sweats for 18 years and have tried everything possible, but nothing apart from HRT has worked for me. I stopped taking HRT over 2 years ago and Im really suffering.I wil try your recommendation and hope it works. Thank you

[carol809]

what is hrt?

[dotdouglas]

they are hell I been having them 20 years and getting worst

[ajanta362]

HRT is Hormone Replacement Therapy

[katnip777]

Isn't it strange how so many women are saying it lasts for years. I am wondering if it has to do with diet now because whenever I cut out as much sugar from my diet as possible my menopause symptoms including hot flashes diminish and have even disappeared. But I am also a sugar junkie so this is really tough for me. I am willing to try the flax seeds and more exercise. But I suspect that if I am vigilant about no-sugar it may disappear. Trying **** Quay too right now but not long enough to confirm it's success.    

[jasmine76]

I haven't had hot flashes for at least 6 mths and now they have come back worse than ever!! Has anyone else experienced this?

[sjde]

I am 58 and started with hot flashes at 47. My periods stopped at 51 or 52 and I'm still having them and night sweats too. In fact they are gettiung worse again. At least 5 times a day. I've never been on HRT and have to watch how much soy I eat because I am hypothyroid and have a family history of breast cancer. Really getting tired of this.

[ActingANGELA]

My hot flashes and night sweats are frequent and daily. Not fun, for sure. I hit the year anniversary of no cycle and like clockwork . . . I fell into Depression and Anxiety, so bad, I had to go back on anti-depressant's (Paxil). And with the anti-depressant's came hot flashes/night sweats and severe insomnia (or menopause). Now, I'm a freaking pharmacy -- I have to take Ambien to get four hours sleep each night; developed a sleep issue with gulping, gasping waking me up every five minutes. Someone tell me these things pass . . . I know the hot flashes can last years; but the Anxiety/Depression and Insomnia? Anyone have those and have it pass/ease with medication? Is there hope? I'm 49-years-old with one ovary (since age 20).

[Sandief]

If you have only just started menopause, and by only missing one period I would say you are probably only just peri-menopause, hot flashes are probably not yet a problem. When you get 5 years down the track, with hot flashes that cause the sweat to actually drip off you face and run down your body, and this happens up to 30 times a day, then you can honestly comment on what you have done to try and eleviate the problems. I hope you are one of the lucky ones who is able to just "sail through menopause "but until you are well and truly into it, please do not mak e rash suggestions. Heredity does go a long way in determining how much or not you will have to endure during this challenging time of your life. To those suffering like me.. hang in there.