Hot flashes are one of the first things that come to mind when most people think of menopause. The sudden bursts of intense, uncomfortable warmth are a hallmark symptom of this transitional period, affecting up to 8 in 10 US women.1
But while you might expect that hot flashes will strike at some point during perimenopause or menopause, you may not be so clear on when they'll end. While experts don't have all the answers, knowing what's typical may give you an idea on how long your hot flashes will last for.
Hear more about hot flashes during menopause from Bonafide Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Alyssa Dweck, below:
Anatomy of a Hot Flash
Experts don't fully understand why hot flashes happen. Fluctuations of the hormones estrogen and progesterone are thought to impact the hypothalamus, the area of the brain responsible for temperature regulation, amongst other functions.
With hot flashes, as a result of lower estrogen, the hypothalamus senses your body is too warm. As a result, it takes immediate action to cool you down: Your blood vessels start to dilate so more blood can flow to the surface of your skin and get rid of excess body heat, causing your face and neck to appear red or flushed. You might also start to sweat or feel like your heart is racing. Towards the end, you may also experience chills or shivering.2
Hot flashes are commonly a result of certain triggers, which can be different for everyone. Common culprits include being in a too-warm room, hot weather, smoking, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, stress, or tight clothing.3
When Do Hot Flashes Start?
Hot flashes most often kick off about a year after your last period, which on average happens at 51, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).4
It's also not uncommon to start having hot flashes earlier. Around 40% of women begin experiencing hot flashes during perimenopause, which tends to occur in your early to mid-40s. And some may even notice hot flashes hitting around their periods in their late 30s, though these flashes tend to be milder and easier to tolerate.5
It's worth pointing out that hot flashes can potentially occur at other points in a woman's life, too. Occasionally this symptom can stem from problems like thyroid disease, an infection, or in rare instances, cancer. Certain drugs like tamoxifen (for breast cancer), raloxifene (for osteoporosis), and a handful of antidepressants, can also cause hot flashes. So, if you suspect that your hot flashes aren't from menopause or if they're accompanied by other symptoms, be sure to let your healthcare provider know.6
How Long Does a Single Hot Flash Last?
Hot flashes start to dissipate almost as quickly as they come on, typically lasting less than five minutes. Some women get them a few times per week, but they can also strike up to 10 times per day for others.7
How Long Do Hot Flashes Last After Menopause?
Hot flashes last for about a year on average, with the majority of hot flashes stopping after five years – with an average, 7.4 years.8 But around 10% of women continue to have hot flashes for 10 years or more, and for a few, they never seem to go away completely. Though the uncertainty can be frustrating, there's unfortunately no reliable way to know how long a woman's hot flashes will last, according to experts.9
Managing Hot Flashes in Perimenopause and Menopause
You don't have much say in when your hot flashes might begin or end. But there are steps you can take to reduce their likelihood and stay comfortable when one does hit.
Lifestyle changes like avoiding triggers, dressing in layers, practicing relaxation exercises like yoga, or trying certain supplements can be a good place to start.10 Following a healthy eating pattern like a Mediterranean-style diet or intermittent fasting might be helpful too.
For more support, ask your healthcare provider about prescription medications like hormone replacement therapy or certain antidepressants, like paroxetine. Both are shown to be effective in managing hot flashes.11 A newer drug, that goes by the name of VeozahTM, may also help.
Above all, stay hopeful. Even though hot flashes can be frustrating and disruptive, they do tend to ease up for most women within a couple of years. But don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider for help if you find your quality of life is negatively impacted by this symptom.
Resources
- https://www.uptodate.com/contents/menopausal-hot-flashes
- https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hot-flashes
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15223-hot-flashes
- https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/an-ob-gyns-top-tips-for-managing-hot-flashes
- https://www.uptodate.com/contents/menopausal-hot-flashes
- https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hot-flashes
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539827/
- https://www.swanstudy.org/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539827/
- https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/an-ob-gyns-top-tips-for-managing-hot-flashes
- https://www.menopause.org/for-women/expert-answers-to-frequently-asked-questions-about-menopause/hot-flash-faqs-triggers-symptoms-treatments
Comments
Post commentI started Menopause at the age of 42 and 30 years later, I still get hot flashes. One thing I noticed is that my diet plays apart in this. the more
sugar I eat before bed, the worse the flashes are. That is my trigger single. Also, I would encourage anyone who gets the Flashes,
try Relizen, it Works!! It stops Hot Flashes in its track, and for that I sleep much better now.
I am 61 yrs old and have been having hot flashes for at least 12 years now, plus my body runs hot to begin with! I get 10-20 hot flashes PER HOUR, so all day is a miserable, hot, sweaty, flushed endurance challenge. Thank God Almighty I found Relizen!!!!! I’m telling you, in less than a week, it stopped my hot flashes, dropping from hundreds a day, to maybe 5 a day! It is a bloody miracle and I am so glad I found it!!! Not all things work for me, so I am elated!! I have been taking it daily for maybe 10 years now. GET IT, LADIES, GET IT I swear to God!!! Soy milk, in my coffee, or cereal, or cooking, also helps. Stay cool!!!
I was 42 when I started menopause. I am now 68 and still get night sweats. For the last 9 month’s I’ve taken Relizen for the night sweats. It did help for the 1st 4 months. Now I wake up at least 3 times a night with the sweats, which makes it harder to fall back to sleep.
Your article does help to explain why this is happening
I am now 70 years old & STILL getting hot flashes, only I call them hot tides, because they last for hours rather than minutes. I started having bothersome hot flashes when I was 47, and don’t know when I went into menopause until I had to have a radical hysterectomy 5 months before turning 60 years old. I’m afraid several months of taking Relizen did nothing to affect them, but now am taking .1 mg of Colidine, generic for a blood-pressure medicine also used to deal with hot flashes, and it is the only thing I’ve taken in the last 15 years that is starting to help.
Just letting you know that some women are different! I pray that I may see an end to this syndrome before I get much older.
I was 44 when I had a complete hysterectomy. I am now 67 and still suffer with terrible hot flashes and night sweats. I have lost weight, totally changed my diet, stay away from sugar and carbs. I take your Relizen faithfully but still have hot flashes. It’s very discouraging and so very uncomfortable. After all these years I just give up. Thank you for the great articles!