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hot flashes in cycles
mpsmom posted:
Is it normal that hot flashes come in cycles? I had hot flashes for 3-4 months, but the day after I went to my doctor, they stopped. Hot flash free for 3-4 months, then they started up again. I've gone 2-3 phases (lasting 3-4 months each) of flashes and 2-3 of no flashes. Weird or normal and what could be causing the cycle?
5 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:hot flashes in cyclesIs it normal that hot flashes come in cycles? I had hot flashes for 3-4 months, but the day after I went to my doctor, they stopped. Hot flash free for 3-4 months, then they started up again. I've gone 2-3 phases (lasting 3-4 months each) of flashes and 2-3 of no flashes. Weird or normal and what could be causing the cycle?
Mary Jane Minkin, MD responded:
Dear mpsmom,
This is not weird-lots of folks do report this type of activity. What it sounds like is that sometimes your ovaries are doing a bit of functioning, sometimes they are not. (you didn't mention any bleeding-for some women, when they start doing some bleeding they stop having hot flashes-however, if your ovaries are doing a bit of work, but not enough to mount a period, you won't see the bleeding activity.)-hopefully, all these hot flashes will disappear for you, and you'll be more comfortable.
Good luck,
Mary Jane
This is not weird-lots of folks do report this type of activity. What it sounds like is that sometimes your ovaries are doing a bit of functioning, sometimes they are not. (you didn't mention any bleeding-for some women, when they start doing some bleeding they stop having hot flashes-however, if your ovaries are doing a bit of work, but not enough to mount a period, you won't see the bleeding activity.)-hopefully, all these hot flashes will disappear for you, and you'll be more comfortable.
Good luck,
Mary Jane
Report This| Share this:hot flashes in cyclesDear mpsmom,<br />This is not weird-lots of folks do report this type of activity. What it sounds like is that sometimes your ovaries are doing a bit of functioning, sometimes they are not. (you didn't mention any bleeding-for some women, when they start doing some bleeding they stop having hot flashes-however, if your ovaries are doing a bit of work, but not enough to mount a period, you won't see the bleeding activity.)-hopefully, all these hot flashes will disappear for you, and you'll be more comfortable.<br />Good luck,<br />Mary Jane
mpsmom replied to Mary Jane Minkin, MD's response:
Thanks. I had spotting once, a few months ago, but don't remember if it was during a "reprieve" or not. Why would my ovaries "work" for 3-4 months, then shut down again? This is my 3rd round of hot flashes (they're currently receding, so I should be hot flash free for 3-4 months if the cycle holds true). 11 months ago, FSH and LH levels were 44.1 and 41.3 respectively.. My doc said I was post menopausal although I had a period the month before (everything I've read says you have to be w/o a period for 12 months to be considered in menopause). And, the hot flashes had started 3-4 months prior to seeing my doc (11 months ago) and stopped the day after I saw him and got the script for HRT, so this has been going on for a year now. I think this round of hot flashes only last about a month. Is that a good sign that they are on their way out?
Report This| Share this:hot flashes in cyclesThanks. I had spotting once, a few months ago, but don't remember if it was during a "reprieve" or not. Why would my ovaries "work" for 3-4 months, then shut down again? This is my 3rd round of hot flashes (they're currently receding, so I should be hot flash free for 3-4 months if the cycle holds true). 11 months ago, FSH and LH levels were 44.1 and 41.3 respectively.. My doc said I was post menopausal although I had a period the month before (everything I've read says you have to be w/o a period for 12 months to be considered in menopause). And, the hot flashes had started 3-4 months prior to seeing my doc (11 months ago) and stopped the day after I saw him and got the script for HRT, so this has been going on for a year now. I think this round of hot flashes only last about a month. Is that a good sign that they are on their way out?
I tend to have them right before and right after my menses. I will be 51 in a few months and I am still having regular cycles although they are not as heavy. My issue is that I have to wear tampons because they "splat" and a pad can't keep up. The "wings" end up catching most of it.
Report This| Share this:hot flashes in cyclesI tend to have them right before and right after my menses. I will be 51 in a few months and I am still having regular cycles although they are not as heavy. My issue is that I have to wear tampons because they "splat" and a pad can't keep up. The "wings" end up catching most of it.
Dear mpsmom,
It certainly sounds like you're heading towards the end of the periods; you are quite correct that the true definition of menopause is being a year without a period; certainly an FSH of 44 is elevated, but quite consistent with a perimenopausal value. So don't give up-the periods will end eventually!
The physiologic reason in general as to why the hot flashes often get worse right before the period is that with normal hormonal functioning, the estrogen levels did right as the period starts; so in the perimenopausal state, when the estrogen drops, it really fluctuates to a very low level.
Good luck,
Mary Jane
It certainly sounds like you're heading towards the end of the periods; you are quite correct that the true definition of menopause is being a year without a period; certainly an FSH of 44 is elevated, but quite consistent with a perimenopausal value. So don't give up-the periods will end eventually!
The physiologic reason in general as to why the hot flashes often get worse right before the period is that with normal hormonal functioning, the estrogen levels did right as the period starts; so in the perimenopausal state, when the estrogen drops, it really fluctuates to a very low level.
Good luck,
Mary Jane
Report This| Share this:hot flashes in cyclesDear mpsmom,<br />It certainly sounds like you're heading towards the end of the periods; you are quite correct that the true definition of menopause is being a year without a period; certainly an FSH of 44 is elevated, but quite consistent with a perimenopausal value. So don't give up-the periods will end eventually!<br />The physiologic reason in general as to why the hot flashes often get worse right before the period is that with normal hormonal functioning, the estrogen levels did right as the period starts; so in the perimenopausal state, when the estrogen drops, it really fluctuates to a very low level. <br />Good luck,<br />Mary Jane
Dear Paladin9,
I'm not sure why the flow is behaving like that-flow wouldn't usually be physically directed by hormonal changes-have you seen your gyn recently to see if there are any vaginal anatomy changes? I'm not really sure what the cause would be,
Good luck,
Mary Jane
I'm not sure why the flow is behaving like that-flow wouldn't usually be physically directed by hormonal changes-have you seen your gyn recently to see if there are any vaginal anatomy changes? I'm not really sure what the cause would be,
Good luck,
Mary Jane
Report This| Share this:hot flashes in cyclesDear Paladin9,<br />I'm not sure why the flow is behaving like that-flow wouldn't usually be physically directed by hormonal changes-have you seen your gyn recently to see if there are any vaginal anatomy changes? I'm not really sure what the cause would be,<br />Good luck,<br />Mary Jane
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