How long do menopausal hot flashes last?

Hot flashes are sudden sensations of heat and, sometimes, flushing of the face and sweating. The exact causes of hot flashes are unknown, but they may be related to changes in the circulation.
The hormonal changes that occur as a woman's last years of reproductive life come to an end can cause a range of hot flashes. Up to 80% of women going through menopause experience hot flashes. Hot flashes, also known as vasomotor symptoms, are often described as a sudden feeling of heat in the chest, face, and head, followed by flushing, sweating, and sometimes chills. Hot flashes and sweats that occur during sleep can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep. Estimates of the duration of these symptoms were obtained from the US Women's Health Nationwide (SWAN) Study, a long-term study of women of different races and ethnicities undergoing phased. menopausal transition.
Hot flashes begin when blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate to help the body cool down, causing you to sweat. Some women also have a fast heartbeat or chills. If they happen while you sleep, they're called night sweats. They can wake you up and make it hard for you to get enough rest.

Time will depend on each individual. About 2 out of 10 women never have hot flashes. Others have hot flashes for only a very short period of time. But there are also others who may experience hot flashes for 11 years or more. However, on average, women experience hot flashes or night sweats for about 7 years.
It was once said that the hot flashes associated with menopause would go away after six to 24 months. But for many women, hot flashes and night sweats usually last a lot longer – an estimated 7 to 11 years.
Data from studies confirm symptoms experienced by many women first-hand. Hot flashes can go on for years and affect a woman's health and well-being; JoAnn Manson, professor of women's health at Harvard Medical School and professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health.

SWAN researchers found that some women are more likely to experience prolonged hot flashes than others. Women who have their first hot flashes before their period ends have hot flashes for an average of 9 to 10 years. For women whose hot flashes occurred after their last menstrual period, the average duration was only about 3.5 years. However, dealing with hot flashes and night sweats is a very long battle.
Women in the SWAN study who experienced longer-lasting hot flashes tended to be current or former smokers, overweight, stressed, depressed, or anxious. Ethnicity also plays a role. African-American women had the longest hot flashes (over 11 years on average), while Japanese and Chinese women experienced hot flashes only about half that time.
The data SWAN provides on hot flashes should encourage women to seek solutions. If hot flashes and night sweats really bother you, don't ignore them. Talk to your doctor about the right treatment options.

There's nothing you can do to avoid hot flashes around menopause. But you can stay away from triggers that can make them more frequent or worse. Common risk factors include:
Stress. Caffeine . Alcohol. Spicy food. Tight clothes. Heat. Cigarette smoke . Please relax. At night, a "relaxation pillow" filled with water or other cooling material can be helpful. You should use a fan during the day, and wear lighter, looser clothing made of natural fibers such as cotton.
Try deep and slow belly breathing (6 to 8 breaths per minute). Practice deep breathing for 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes in the evening, and when hot flashes start.
Daily exercise. Walking, swimming, biking, and dancing are all good options.
Plant estrogens, found in soy products, may work to reduce hot flashes. Doctors recommend getting soy from foods like tofu instead of supplements. Some studies suggest that black cohosh may be helpful for 6 months or less. Botanicals and herbs can have side effects or change the way other medicines work, so check with your doctor before taking them.

Some women experience hot flashes that go away without treatment. The most effective treatment for hot flashes is estrogen-based hormone therapy, although it has some drawbacks. While hormone therapy is very effective at reducing hot flashes, older women have a higher risk of stroke, blood clots, and other health problems. “Therefore, it is important for women to explore the full range of treatment options – especially women who are more likely to experience persistent hot flashes,” Dr. Manson advises.

Certain non-hormonal medications can also help with hot flashes and night sweats. These include some antidepressants, some commonly prescribed for nerve pain, and some high blood pressure medications. With any medicine, you should choose the lowest dose that effectively relieves your symptoms and take it for the shortest amount of time possible.
For some women, non-pharmacological measures may be helpful. These include deep breathing exercises when a hot flash begins; wear layers of clothing; lower the temperature; stay away from caffeine, alcohol, hot drinks and spicy foods; stress-reduction techniques such as meditation and mindfulness,...
If hot flashes are bothering or troubling you, talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy, or called HRT, for a limited time, usually less than 5 years. This method prevents hot flashes for many women. Additionally, it may help improve other symptoms of menopause, including vaginal dryness and mood swings. When you stop taking HRT, hot flashes may return. Some short-term HRT can make you more likely to have blood clots, breast and endometrial cancer, and cholecystitis.
If HRT isn't right for you, other treatments can help. Prescription medications include:
Low-dose antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Rapiflux), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva) or venlafaxine (Effexor). Clonidine, a blood pressure medication. Gabapentin, an antiepileptic drug. Brisdelle, a paroxetine formulation specifically for hot flashes. Duavee, a conjugated estrogen/bazedoxifene formulation designed to treat hot flashes. B vitamins, vitamin E, and ibuprofen may also be helpful. It's important to talk to your doctor before taking any new medications or supplements, including over-the-counter products.
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Source: webmd.com, health.harvard.edu