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March 15, 2010
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Patient Discussions: Hot Flashes - Describe Your Experience

Hot Flashes - Describe Your Experience

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe your experience with Hot Flashes.

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs


Related Article: Hot Flashes

The following Patient Discussions have not been medically reviewed. See additional information.



Comment from: pammi, 45-54 Female (Caregiver)

They are terrible! I sweat like a man, I'm so hot I can't stand it, I take a fan almost every where I go, everywhere with an electric outlet. I'm African American, my hair "goes back” and frizzes up, I can't keep my hair done, relaxers just don't work any more. My deodorant cooks off, near the end of the day, I would smell something and realized it was me! I carry a baggy and washcloth and deodorant with me, in my purse. I am up maybe 3-4 times a night, my nightgown is usually soaked, from sweating. I always said I would be glad when menopause started, but boy was I wrong! I would have a period maybe once every 5 months, and even though the period would be very heavy, the other symptoms would stop. I'd be glad for the period. Published: September 02 ::

Comment from: 35-44 Female (Patient)

I have had uterus removed which is called abdominal hysterectomy and then years later I had my right ovary removed. I have had trouble with my left ovary every since. I was given a birth control shot 2 months ago I am 42 I think the shot was called premovara or something with a P. Now for the last month I have severe hot flashes all day and night. I have to change my shirt about 7 times a day. It is summer time and air conditioner is on. I had to turn down to 74 and it is still too cold. Every time I soak my shirt and my hair gets soaked I freeze so back under covers then hot again then take off covers and freeze again. I am exhausted and want to leave my home and run away from husband and dogs. I would have never left my dogs in a million years. Children are grown and doggies are my babies, but lately I would leave everything to just run away but where would I go. I had a pelvic ultrasound 2 days ago and ovary was shrunk so small she could hardly find it. 6 weeks ago it was big as softball. I really feel the shot has put me into premature or full blown menopause. I go back to OBGYN in 6 weeks for another shot. I am going to get blood test to check for menopause before I let them give me a shot. My mother had breast cancer stage 3 and is a 10 year survivor now but they have already told me no hormones and estrogen for me when I have menopause because of my mother. I am miserable and tired hot and cold. I hate it. I thought it only lasted 1 year but after reading about it lasting 5-10 I don't think I can take it that long. Published: August 17 ::

Comment from: Bonnie, 55-64 Female (Patient)

I had hot flashes for nearly 5 years, 24hrs of the day. I have tried Clonidine, HRT patches, Venlafaxine, and more HRT patches which caused severe bleeding and clots. I have tried every herbal tablet going for the menopause nothing works. It took a new doctor to decide to do 24 hour Urine Tests to rule out any other reason. I also suffer from severe stress and anxiety. Stress also gives you hot flushes and cold sweats, so I don't know whether I am coming or going. I even did a menopause nondrug trial. This teaches you to deep breathe through a flush and let it flow over you no chance! It just completely ruins your life. I have not had a proper night's sleep for 5 years so am constantly drained. Published: August 17 ::

Comment from: Hot Wet and Tired, 35-44 Female

I used to be regular. Over the last couple of years my cycle is totally out of whack. I could be regular for a month then nothing for two or three months, then a regular cycle of five days clear up and then in two days two weeks it's back on again. There is no regularity at all. Now the last year I have been having night sweats, and not just lightly but totally soaking wet. Bed clothing, sheets, pillows everything. I have spoken to my doctor about all of this. I have even gone to a gynecologist and they are saying that I am too young for menopause. I had osteoporosis at eleven years of age, but they are telling me basically to just bear with it. Published: August 17 ::

Comment from: Bev, 55-64 Female (Patient)

I have suffered from hot flashes more in the last 3 months than I have since I started the menopause which was about 5 years ago. (I am 55). I tried HRT but different ones made some of my symptoms worse, in particular migraine. I also found that soya, which I was using regularly, via foodstuffs, thinking it was helping me, was actually making my migraines worse and harder to treat. As I'm writing this I'm having a flash! They have definitely increased. From 3-4 a day and 1-2 at night, I now have about up to 20 daily and 4-5 nightly! I suppose it's back to the Doctors, though what they're going to do I have no idea. Published: August 10 ::

Comment from: bakerclan5, 45-54 Female (Patient)

I recently turned 45. Last October, I began experiencing hot flashes and night sweats. When I went for my annual, I told my doctor, they did blood work and said they would get me back in to discuss HRT. I checked with my nurse about my blood work. All was well. I waited to hear from the doctor, but they didn't call. Around this time, the hot flashes and night sweats stopped. Low and behold, a couple of months ago, they returned "with a vengeance". I went back to my doctor. They finally checked my hormone levels and said "congratulations, welcome to menopause". She started me on Prempro, but said it would take about 2 weeks before I could tell if it would work. It has now been a week. Not working yet. The lack of sleep is starting to get on my nerves. If the pill doesn't start working soon, I'm going back to have the dosage increased. Published: July 24 ::


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Hot Flashes

What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) can be considered to be a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Both PMS and PMDD are characterized by unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms that occur in the second half of a woman's menstrual cycle, most commonly in the days preceding the menstrual period. Fatigue, mood changes, irritability, and abdominal bloating are among the most common symptoms of PMS and PMDD, but numerous other symptoms have been reported. Whereas the symptoms of PMS may be troubling and unpleasant, PMDD may cause severe, debilitating symptoms that interfere with a woman's ability to function.

PMS is much more common than PMDD. PMS may affect to 30% of women with regular menstrual cycles, while only 3% to 8% of these women have true PMDD.

PMDD has been previously medically referred to as late luteal phase dysphoric disord...

Read the Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) article »











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