Study Suggests Source of Post-Menopausal Hot Flashes

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I'm 60yrs. old who had a partial hysterectomy at 43. Mostly have hot flashes at night, with the a/c set at 75 degrees and a fan blowing on my side of bed. I have osteopenia and exercise 5 to 6 times a week. Was on HRT for several years until it was determined that it caused heart problems. I weight 120 lb. and am healthy except for mild arthritis. Any comments?

Lynda Steinway of TX 7:10PM April 05, 2012

Suffered debilitating hot flashes ONLY at night for 20 yrs beginning at age 41. Treated with vaious courses of HRT continually; AT 60 was diagnosed with uterine cancer, stage 1B. Successful surgery with no indication that chemo or radiation was needed. I begged to continue on HRT as hot flashes were stronger and more frequent than before the complete hysterectoy; to my horror , such "discomfort" was a surprise to my oncologist...Now 6 year post cancer, i have had to give up the HRT patches though they were only at 2.5%.
Hot flashes are increasing in frequency and intensity. My current GP insists that I rely on Ambien nightly as it is less perilous than HRT. This makes NO sense to me.
There must be some solution . I am healthy, active walking 3 miles daily at 12 min a mile on tread mill, enjoy a moderate lifestyle with balanced diet, consumption of wine/liquor about 2 glasses per diem.
I would appreciate learning anyone else's experience or suggestions.

nj of NY 8:48PM January 26, 2012

Very confusing. Do the post-menopausal hot flashes indicate a condition that will lead to osteoperosis, or not? The last sentence seems to indicate that those with weakened bones...(osteoperosis?)...do NOT experience the fever/hot flashes which earlier in the article seemed to be symptomatic of the suspect protein, RANK/RANKL, which were cited as the cause of the fever/hot flashes.

CBJ of WA 8:49PM September 28, 2011

I was told by a group of medical professionals that meet weekly for a chit chat circle. They all were having hot flashes and a couple started working out and the flashes stopped..so they all started some type of workout and they all had the same result..the flashes stopped.
I decided to give it a try - my apt. complex has a gym - so I walk on the treadmill for 30 min everynight and wow they stopped. I did this for 3 weeks and one thing or another happened and I stopped going to the gym and my hot flashes did not return for 2 months...
I recently had a headache at work and flashed and wow it made me feel like vomiting and head pounded with each hot flash...I decided, I will return to my 30min treadmill walk is worth it..even thought I have no time for me...It's work, kids, dinner and homework helper just normally do not have time for me stuff, will have to make time.

tracy of CA 11:27PM January 06, 2011

Hi! I have been in peri- and menopause for the last 8 years, and have been having hot flashes since the beginning of this process (now 54 years young), until I started using the hormone patches. They helped with the flashes for several years. 3 years ago I was also put on progesterone, being told that without it, the estrogen could cause cancer. Just after Thanksgiving, 2010, I was diagnosed with Endometrial Grade 1 Carcinoma (cancer inside the uterus, in the center of the endometrium.) I was told that this was the most curable, slowest-growing type of cancer, and that I had some choices of how to treat it. I chose a hysterectomy with ovaries, tubes and uterus removed. The lab results showed no cancer having spread to the surrounding lymph nodes, and the cancer is gone. Right after I was diagnosed, I stopped using my hormones, and got the worst case of flashes and night sweats I've ever had. My Oncology Surgeon, who is a specialist on hormones and cancers of the female organs, says I am quite safe to use the estrogen patches now for a couple of years. But all this makes me pretty nervous! Does anybody know of any alternative ways to calm the flashes? I'm told that Yams, Black Cohosh, St. John's Wort, and others are good for this. Any other info? I bet we could find a way to use these supplements in a way to make them go away completely.......

Suzette of CA 3:37PM December 24, 2010

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auto car transport 1:15AM December 24, 2010

60 years young; early menopause, and hot flashes! Whew! Hot flashes can really take it out of you at times.
I just take deep breaths until they pass, which is usually quickly. However, that doesn't make them any less annoying.
No hormone replacement; no thanks!

Tena of TX 4:10PM September 17, 2010

I'm 61 and post-menopausal. I have hot flashes every few hours, every day. I pull covers on and off all night. My skin becomes hot to the touch, like I have a fever. My bone density scan a couple of years ago was normal. These flashes wipe me out; they don't last long, but sometimes I feel like I have to sit down or I'll fall down. I don't take hormone replacements; maybe I should.

Carolyn of OH 8:11PM August 02, 2010

I am 64 and had my last period 5 years ago. Going through menopause was a piece of cake--no hot flashes, no mood swings, some weight gain. Now I am having infrequent hot flashes at night when I'm asleep. The hotness is in my face and chest. I don't sweat. However, I have had osteopenia for 5 years. Is there a connection?

Jaye of PA 9:44AM February 06, 2010

I was taking prescribed hormones at the start of menopause because I saw what my mom went through and didn’t want to experience any of the discomfort of hot flashes, etc. While on the hormones I never got a hot flash so I never thought about coming off of them until my doctor suggested I do because of the risk of breast cancer. As soon as I did the hot flashes began and I felt miserable. I tried over the counter remedies and after my body adjusted to them I started to feel a little better but not quite great. Then I saw the email from Amberen and thought I’d give it a try. I decided on Course B because I wanted results right away. I don’t like to feel sweaty (unless I’m working out in the gym). When I took the Amberen I felt like I did when I was on the hormones – great. Then I decided to try Course A to see if maybe I could cut my dosage in half and so far it’s working. I’m feeling great and hot flashes are no longer a worry to me.

Anna of CA 1:59PM January 11, 2010