The X Factor – Women’s Questions Answered
Q: Once a woman enters menopause, will symptoms ever decrease if she decides to avoid taking hormones?
A: Unfortunately, a significant majority of women will experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances and mood changes during the menopause transition. Between 58-93% of women will experience hot flashes, with the highest percentage during the first two postmenopausal years. The frequency and intensity of symptoms tend to vary, as no two women have the exact same menopause symptoms.
Fortunately, most women will notice a significant decrease in symptoms within 3-5 years of the menopause; but some women can have hot flashes for 10 or 20 years. Many women choose hormonal therapy or other therapies to decrease uncomfortable menopause symptoms. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available, and therapy can be tailored to the individual. If symptoms occur and affect quality of life, women should talk to their health care provider about various treatment options available.
(1) Gracia CR, Freeman EW. Acute consequences of the menopausal transition: the rise of common menopausal symptoms. Endocrinol Metab Clin N Am. 2004;33:675-689.
(2) Lobo, R.A. ed. Treatment of the Postmenopausal Woman. Raven Press, 1994:97-100.