How many years/months can hot flashes and night sweats continue?

Hi,

This propably sounds like a stupid question but how long do hot flashes and night sweats go on for? Can it be years? I had
TAH/BSO and I am not on HRT. In the beginning I thought I could
take all the side effects, but after three months I am getting weiry.
I really don't want to start hrt and I am now starting to research natural ways to get relief. Any suggestions??

Kate

HI KATE,

I'AM GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. I HAD A TAH/BSO ON THE 28 OF MAY AND THE NIGHT SWEATS ARE CRAZY. I'AM LIKE YOU I DONT WANT TO GO ON ANYTHING BUT IF I HAVE TO I WILL TRY NATURAL TOO. I 'AM REALLY LOOKING INTO IT JUST SO I HAVE SOME ON THE SIDE IF I CANT TAKE IT ANYMORE, WHEN I FIND OUT I WILL LET YOU KNOW. HOW ARE YOU FEELING OTHER WISE? IS EVERYTHING ELSE BACK TO NORMAL? I'AM HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH THE SWELLY BELLY AND HAVING ALOT OF TROUBLE GOING TO THE WASHROOM. I'AM 41 AND REALLY DIDNT WANT TO DO THIS SURGERY BUT HAD NO CHOICE BY THE END TO MUCH PAIN. HOPE YOUR NIGHT SWEATS EASE UP FOR YOU.
TAKE CARE KATHY

I never thought I would be a supporter of HRT with all the negative talk about it, but my doctor made an interesting point, he said after a TAH,BSO, about 90% of the estrogen is out of your body pretty quick (the remaining 10% you get from your adrenal glands and fat cells). Therefore when you go on HRT, as long as you go on a bioidentical form of HRT, all you are doing is getting your estrogen level back up to the same level other women your age who have their uterus and ovaries are at. Basically, by taking bioidentical HRT, I am just getting myself back in step with women my age not in menopause. That helped me make the decision to go on HRT. Just some food for thought..

I had my surgery almost 4 months ago and started the Climara patch .06 mg within 2 weeks. I feel wonderful but don't want to stay on it too long. I was hoping to wean myself off in 6 months to a year.

I'm 51, take calcium supplements and do cardio and weight training. When I mentioned this to my Dr. his response was..."Whatever!" That was very informative! LOL
I talked to my breast surgeon (I have fibroids) and he said I was just prolonging the inevitable and therefore shouldn't be taking them at all. I'm confused!

If I level it off for a year on HRT will it then be just a short time (another year?) that I'll have the menopause symtoms? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Debbie

Hi Country Kathy,

So far everything else seems to be working fine. I have more energy then ever. I am 48 and feel great. I also had some bathroom problems for awhile. Thank God that's over. I just kept taking stool softeners and now I don't need them. When I am on my feet too much I still experience sweely belly and a little discomfort. I hope we find an answer as to how long does this lasts. It is probably different for everyone but I would like to know an approximate time frame.

Kate

Hi Ladies,
It is interesting to see how many Dr's have such different opinions! Yes to HRT no to HRT, too young, too old, some swear by them and others run and the end result is this...

Each of us is different some have symptoms and those who don't. There really isn't a time frame. My mom for example had symptoms for 8 years and now a hot flash here and there. (She couldn't take HRT for other reasons).

So here I am 36 years old and I have enough symptoms to go around! LOL..

I May of 2003 I had a Laparoscopy to diagnose Endometrosis. This was supposed to be a 40 minute oupaitent procedure that took 3 hours and landed me 3 days in the Castle.

What the Wizzard found was Stage IV Endometrosis. It destryoed both my fallopian tubes (they were removed) and it was all over my Uterus. The Wizzard removed all the Endo he could see and I began Lupron injections the next day in the hospital.

The Lupron put me in immediate Medical Menopause and I endured this for 6 months. It was the most horrible time of mylife the side effects were so severe that I was emotionally and physically messed up. I don't know how my family and I managed.

I went off these drugs in October of 2003 and had my first period in January 2004 for 18 days. Februray was worse and March had me back on pain meds and the heating bad.

April 27th I had a TAH. The Wizzard doesn't want me on HRT due to the Endo (this is where alot of drs. differ) and some other factors. My biggest fear is the fact that 11 months later the Endo returned with a vengence. My Colon was stuck to my uterus, I had an Endometrioma on one ovary and cysts on the other.

Surgical Menopause is ALOT easier than Medical Menopause. I do have Hot Flashes (what a beast) and night sweats, and depression, and brain fog and mood swings and all that.

So you can see why I am afraid of HRT I am only 36 and who wants to do that for 20 years!

My Wizzard recommed Remifemin. It is an herbal supplement. You take it 2x a day and being that it is herbal it can take 4-12 weeks to see a difference.

Ask your Dr. about it, they do have a website www.remifemin.com and they will send you a 20 day supply. I am only on week 2 so I haven't had any notable change yet but I am hoping for the best.

Sorry this is so long but once I started I couldn't stop!

Take Care Ladies and Thanks for ALL OF YOU!!!

Stacy

I had TAH/BSO on June 1st. Not on HRT - I had already gone through menopause 7 years ago early at age 42 and we all thought (doc even tested then and then again before my surgery) that I was through it. But appearently not because since my surgery, Im having hot flashes, night sweats, heart palplutations. Great---second time around!

I am going to try over the counter natural menopause supplements like soy and black cohash - been on them for a week, and still same.

The first time through menopause, the hot flashes and night sweats lasted about a year. This time around -- I dont know!
I just know Im not gettin much sleep with all the hot flashes, ripping off the sheets, putting them back on, getting up to go the bathroom, washing my face to cool down, etc.

Can anyone give me an example of a bioidential HRT vs. not bioidentical? Im kinda clueless here.

Thanks for the link to Remiferin - I ordered my free supply. cool - you dont even have to pay for shipping!

Hi Patti

.........and everyone else, too!

There are a lot of good resources on this site about hormones. You can find loads of information by clicking on Resources near the top of the page and going to the category called Hormone Jungle - Hormone Resources. Also, by using the drop down menu by More Hyster Sisters! to the right and near the top of the page, you can go to Hormone Article List, click Go and find all kinds of information about hormones. You can learn about conjugated, bio-identical, esterified, estropipated and compounded estrogens!

Happy reading!

s
April Dawn

Jeesh! I cant even pronounce those hormones!

Thanks