Menopause Relief--How Long Should Hot Flashes Last?

There is no clear, straightforward answer to the question of how long your hot flashes last, and how you can get some menopause relief. This is because every woman is different, and has different circumstances.

Hot flashes are directly related to physical and mental health. Stress is also a common trigger that sets of a hot flash.

Just as your body is completely unique, so are your menopause symptoms. A healthy lifestyle, together with overall physical fitness and a good mental attitude will surely help reduce the symptoms.

Very often hot flashes are more frequent during times of stress, and obviously everyone's level of stress can vary greatly. Many women notice that their hot flashes occur more often when they are stressed. This can become a big problem if your lifestyle is hectic and in overdrive nearly all the time.

So, how many months, or years will you have hot flashes?

It could be six months, it could be six years, or it could be sixteen years! Some women have them for just a short while, and others are still having them while in the nineties.

Since there is nothing you can do about any genetic predisposition that might give you a tendency toward hot flashes, the best thing you can do is learn about the underlying causes, and take definite steps to manage your own health. A healthy mind and body will help shorten the length of time you have hot flashes, as well as decrease the intensity of the ones you do have.

You can have hot flashes in your twenties, or after menopause

When your body is stressed to the point of creating a hormonal imbalance, the mind is tricked into thinking it needs to cool things down, so it orders the blood vessels to dilate, the sweat glands to produce, and the heart rate to increase; you have a hot flash. This is the body's attempt to regulate itself and is a signal that it needs attention.

Hot flashes can occur at any time in a woman's life. Because they are more typical during menopause they are commonly regarded as a symptom of menopause. However, many women experience them before and after their change in life.

Eating the right foods can shorten the duration of hot flashes

It is common for certain foods to trigger hot flashes, such as spicy foods, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine. This can be different for everyone, so it is important to listen to your body. When you find that certain foods trigger a hot flash, simply avoid it in the future, unless you like the hot flashes!

Eating an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables is a sure way to reduce the hot flashes. You body need the building blocks to create the hormones that regulate health and wellness, and fresh, whole foods will go a long way to help you.

Adding a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement can also make the hot flashes shorter in intensity and duration. Many excellent supplements are formulated with this very purpose in mind, and can be highly effective.

In conclusion, hot flashes are different for every woman, but taking positive steps to manage your own health will help with the frequency and duration of hot flashes. Take the time to study, listen to your own body, and take the necessary steps to keep your body in a state of balance and health.

Randy Hough and Laura Simon, MSW,MEd,have worked together to create a family stress blog and a menopause relief web site. They live and work in the beautiful Upper Valley of Vermont.