A recent study by researchers at Wake Forest University confirms what postmenopausal women have already known for decades: that hot flashes can last for years. Despite women reporting up to 10 years of hot flashes, leading medical institutes – including the North American Menopause Society – assert that hot flashes last between 6 months and 2 years for women.
However, new research from Wake Forest, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that many women experience frequent hot flashes lasting for at least seven years.
For the purposes of the study, frequent hot flashes were described as having hot flashes or night sweats over the course of at least six days during a two-week testing period. Researchers examined data collected from over 3,000 women between the years of 1996 and 2013. Of this group, 43% had frequent bouts of hot flashes and night sweats, and the average length of time women experienced these symptoms was 7.4 years.
The average length of hot flashes varied between ethnicities, with Japanese women experiencing hot flashes the least amount of time (4.8 years) and African American women experiencing symptoms the longest (an average of 10.1 years).
Furthermore, researchers also found that other lifestyle factors affected the duration of hot flashes for women, including:
- Age at the first report of hot flashes
- Greater perceived stress
- Greater symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Lower educational attainment
- Greater sensitivity to hot flash and night sweat symptoms
While hot flashes may be an inevitable part of the menopause journey for you, there are ways you can reduce both the frequency and intensity of hot flashes, such as:
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Antidepressants
- Acupuncture
- Lifestyle factors, including smoking cessation, exercise, and deep breathing techniques
The expert Gainesville gynecologists at All About Women help women in Alachua County and the surrounding areas have a smooth menopause transition, regardless of how long it may last. We can work with you to create an individualized plan for addressing hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause based on your medical history, lifestyle and desired outcomes.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help you treat your menopause symptoms.
