For Many, Hot Flashes Last 7 Years

For at least half of women with frequent hot flashes, the symptoms go on for more than 7 years, a new study finds. The study used data from a long-term women’s health study. Women were asked about menopause symptoms each year for 13 years. The study focused on 1,449 women who reported having hot flashes and night sweats for at least 6 days in the last 2 weeks. The median amount of time these symptoms lasted was 7.4 years. Half of the women had symptoms for a longer time and half for a shorter time. The earlier symptoms started, the longer they tended to last. Among women who had symptoms before reaching menopause, they lasted a median of 11.8 years. If symptoms started after menopause, they lasted about 3 years. Symptoms lasted longer than average for black and Hispanic women. They lasted a shorter time for white women and those of Japanese or Chinese descent.