How Long Do Hot Flashes Last?

Many women wonder how long do hot flashes last, but regretfully, there is no clear answer. Some women never have hot flashes, while some have them for years. Others have learned how to stop hot flashes naturally and that is the focus of this article.

The answers to "how long do hot flashes last" will vary depending on the women that you ask. Some women don't have them at all. Others have them for several years before menopause and continue to have them for several years following menopause. It is not unheard of for a woman to have them for as long as seven years, unless she learns how to stop them.

For many years doctors recommended hormone replacement therapy to stop hot flashes. Naturally, as with many medical treatments, we have now learned that hormone replacement therapy increases a woman's risk of developing many different life threatening conditions, including blood clots and stroke. The health risks increase with continued use. Most experts now suggest that women, who must use HRT, should use it for the shortest time possible.

This creates an issue for women who have menopausal symptoms for five, six or seven years and if you ask a group of postmenopausal women, "how long do hot flashes last," then several of them will likely tell you that they started in their mid forties and lasted till their early to mid fifties. Women who learned how to stop hot flashes naturally will likely tell you that they were only bothered by them if they stopped taking their supplements, drank too much coffee, too much wine or forgot to avoid their personal triggers.

Black cohosh can stop hot flashes naturally for most women, but adding red clover isoflavones or other phytoestrogens (plant components that have an estrogen-like effect) can be even more helpful. Some women have lifestyle issues that increase hot flash symptoms. Among these are cigarette smoking and chronic stress.

Women who smoke are also more likely to develop blood clots as a result of using hormone replacement therapy. So, of course, the best thing to do is quit. The American Cancer Society provides helpful literature for women who want to quit smoking. A support group can also be helpful.

Research has shown that chronic stress aggravates many medical problems, even causes some and lowers the body's ability to fight off infectious diseases. Some women have found that stress management and relaxation techniques can stop hot flashes naturally.

Caffeine and other stimulants can trigger hot flashes, as can excess alcohol consumption. Certain foods trigger hot flashes in some women. A symptoms diary can help you find your own unique triggers.

No one can answer the question how long do hot flashes last for everyone. Most women find that once they have not had a period for a year or more, their menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes subside. To learn more about how to stop hot flashes naturally, please visit the Menopause and PMS Guide.