Hot Flashes For More Than a Decade More Common Than You Think

By SheSpeaksTeam Feb 19, 2015

Most would agree that one of the more unpleasant symptoms of menopause is hot flashes and night sweats. Many women may wonder how long these bothersome symptoms will last and unfortunately a new study reveals that menopause induced hot flashes can stick around for years.

Health.com reports about a study published in a recent issue of JAMA Internal Medicine that suggests women experience hot flashes for an average of 4.5 years, with some having them for a full 12 years after onset of menopause. Though hot flashes and night sweats are a common symptoms of menopause a lucky 1 out of 5 women report not having these symptoms.

But if you are like most women, hot flashes may become a nuisance in your daily life. Hormone replacement therapy is an option but isn’t always popular since it can increase your risk of breast cancer. But you also can’t live with your head in the freezer 24/7.

Fortunately there are other things women can do to get some relief from hot flashes. Professor of social sciences and health policy at Wake Forest School of Medicine, Nancy Avis, says that low doses of anti-depressants can help to relieve hot flashes. But if you don’t want to rely on medications for relief Avis suggests, “As a first step, some simple things might help. These include dressing in layers; avoiding caffeine, alcohol, smoking and spicy foods; drinking cold water, and keeping one’s room cool.” She adds, “Women who do not want to take pharmaceuticals — they invariably have side effects — have tried alternatives such as acupuncture; yoga; slow, deep breathing; and meditation. These techniques work for some women.”

What do you think of the latest study that reveals menopause symptoms like hot flashes can last for 12 years?

How do you deal with symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats?