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How long does natural menopause last?

Page last modified on: September 23, 2008
Question from Cheryl: So how long does natural menopause last? I started 15 years ago and went on HRT. Now that I have breast cancer, I have stopped taking the HRT, and I'm back to having night sweats. Does it ever end?
Answers —Mindy Goldman, M.D.: The good answer for most women is yes, but about 15 percent of women may persist in having hot flashes throughout their menopausal years. For most women, however, the intensity and the frequency of the hot flashes get less with time. There is data that says hot flashes are brought on by things like stress, alcohol, spicy foods, and changes in temperature — particularly going to a warm environment. Sometimes women can make lifestyle adjustments to help decrease the intensity of the hot flashes.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: That's another reason for "anger management" or anything else in your life that makes you "hot and bothered." One of the difficult challenges of breast cancer is having to confront so many different issues at one time. For sure, your emotional life has a significant impact on how you experience this whole process and these kinds of symptoms.

On Wednesday, July 21, 2004, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Menopausal Symptoms. Mindy Goldman, M.D. and Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about how to manage menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Mindy Goldman, M.D.Mindy Goldman, M.D. is an OB/GYN physician specializing in the gynecology of breast cancer patients.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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