Why do I have hot flashes only at night?

[sterries]

I had a complete hysterectomy 5 years ago at the age of 41.  I had alot of trouble with hot flashes soon afterwards so I was eventually put on hormones, and have been on the same kind and same dose ever since. I didn't have any hotflashes at all the first 4 years I was on the hormones, but now in the last year I have been having problems at night.  I don't have any hotflashes during the day, but as soon as I lay down to go to sleep they start. I wake up 3-4 times every night and feel like I am burning up from head to toe for about 3 minutes. (I do not sweat, so I don't know if these would still be considered "night sweats" or "hotflashes".)  It seems like I just get back to sleep-and here comes another one. I do not wear anything to bed-and keep it very cool in the room. I don't understand why the hormones would be working during the day but not at night.  Do I need to have my hormone dose increased? Also, will these hotflashes ever go away, or am I going to be on hormones for the rest of my life? I do have a history of breast cancer in my family ( my Mother) so I don't like being on them at all after hearing what kind of problems they can cause, but at this point it is unbearable without them.

[Sequestermd]

Hello & SO sorry for your discomfort. I suffered terribly from hotflashes-to the point of it ruining my life! I tried hormone replacement therapy & everything from black cohosh...to anything else you can imagine. I finally found a total help in the oddest place LOL. A friend sent me to a psychic, because she felt so bad for the decline in my life! Anyway, this psychic recommended taking turmeric powder- 1/5 of a teaspoon 3 times a week. I thought, what the heck? So, every Sunday, Tuesday & Friday I faithfully took my dose {doesn't have to be exactly 1/5-as it does not have any side effects} & OMG!!!!!!! My hotflashes went down by about 80% & were much more manageable. It takes a few weeks to get into your system, so don't think it's not working until you've at least given it 2 months or so. I'd love to hear your story after trying this...it has given me back my life. BUT, I got cocky after about a yr & stopped taking this & WHOP! I got hotflashes back like a punch in the gut! Good luck & even though it seems like it's too easy an answer, what have you got to lose? Turmeric also helps in many other problems. Please give feedback so others have luck as well.

[Cherie762]

Hi there

I think what your experiencing is called "night sweats" another lovely (not) side effect many ofus get from menopause.

I had flashes and night sweats about 1 week after my hyster that lasted for a year ,then i experimentantly stopped hormones and all I get now is an occasional flash. Everyone is different, its not explainable why your now getting sweats years after our surgery.Theory could be your now at an age when you would likely be entering a natural menopause or as you say you simply need a change or increase in hormones,

You willneed a full  panel hormone work up.Ask for thyroid panel too. Many women develop thyroid troubles post hysterectomy and with out the hyster factor thyroid problems strike 10% of middleage women anyways.The thyroid amongst other things regulates body heating and cooling.

speak with your Drabout bio-identical hormones ,they are the best .I do understand your concerns about the breast cancer link. There are alternatives that helpsome . There is an herbal supplement called Black Kosch or somtimes spelled Black Cosch  ...many claim it helps with sweats and flashes,again ask your Drs advice as herbals do interact with medications.

Cherie