duration of postmenopausal hot flushes

Average American women become menopausal around age 51 years old.   Some women experience hot flushes younger when they have their ovaries removed surgically for various reasons.   In the Study of Women Across the Nation (SWAN), the median duration of hot flash symptoms was 7.4 years.  This duration is longer than the currently recommended duration for treatment of symptoms (maximum 4 to 5 years to minimize excess breast cancer risk).

We postulate that the increase risk of breast cancer is due to the progestin part of hormone replacement therapy.  When women still have uterus and experience menopause, they are usually prescribe both estrogen and progestin.  The progestin seems to reduce risks of uterine cancer but with prolonged usage may incrase risk of breast cancer.

Thus, do discuss with your physicians and health care providers of risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy.

Reference:

Avis NE, Crawford SL, Greendale G, Bromberger JT, Everson-Rose SA, Gold EB, Hess R, Joffe H, Kravitz HM, Tepper PG, Thurston RC, Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN).  Duration of menopausal vasomotor symptoms.  JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(4):531