I am 72 years old and have hot flashes and night sweats. I have talked to my Dr. and they suggest soy products. I have tried many different ones and they do not seem to help. I took HRT for many years. When I was told to stop the hormones this started and has continued. I would really like some relief.

- Patricia

Answer:

Thanks for posting your concern, Patricia.

Hot flushes are probably the most dreaded symptom of menopause. Some women feel like they will never be rid of them. Most women begin to experience hot flushes about one to two years before the onset of menopause, and they can last up to a year after your last menstrual period. 25 percent of women may experience hot flushes for up to five years after their last period, and there is yet a select few (unfortunately) that may continue to battle hot flushes for longer than 10 years following their last period.  

The fact is that each woman is different and will experience menopausal symptoms differently. Some will hardly experience any symptoms, while others will continue to get hot flushes into old age. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell when your symptoms will subside.

HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) has been one of the most effective treatments against hot flushes. Doctors will attempt to find the lowest dose of hormones needed to ease your discomfort. Since you have recently stopped HRT, this is probably why your hot flushes have returned because your estrogen levels are once again imbalanced.

Nowadays, doctors do not typically encourage women to stay on HRT for any longer than six months to a year, because they do not yet know everything about the potential side-effects or the risks of extended treatment. Depending on how long you’ve been on HRT, your doctor may advise you to go back on the treatment if your hot flushes are particularly unbearable, and only if you do not have any of the risk factors associated with the prolonged use of HRT. Discuss this with your doctor. Your hot flushes may also disappear once your body adjusts to being off HRT. In this case, you may just have to wait it out.  

Soya supplements are one complementary remedy for easing hot flushes. Since taking Soya doesn’t seem to be working for you, there are a number of other herbal remedies that you could try, including:

·        Black cohosh

·        Red clover

·        Chinese dong quai

Just remember that taking herbal supplements can have possible side-effects of their own, so it’s important to check with a health care provider before starting any herbal remedy.