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At Age 74 Have Started Having Hot Flashes. Had Hysterectomy And Blood Test Normal. Suggest?
Question: at age 74 I have started having hot flashes. never had them before... hystorectomy at age 42. all blood test have been ok
Brief Answer:
START HRT IF CONSERVATIVE MEASURES FAIL
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
It is very rare to experience hot flashes for the first time in your 70s. Less than 5 - 8 % of women experiencing menopausal symptoms present with them at this age.
That said, you may first try simple measures to alleviate hot flashes.
Dress in layered garments, so that at the first hint of a hot flash coming on, you can discard a layer or two.
Keep chilled water or ice handy.
Keep your ambient temperature cool.
Cut down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking.
Try deep breathing techniques or yoga or other recreational exercises to help you cope with the distress of hot flashes.
Certain products such as phytoestrogens, soy isoflavones, black cohosh, ginseng, vitamin E, acupuncture etc are associated with relief of symptoms, but there is no evidence based study backing these.
The ONLY evidence based therapy for recalcitrant hot flashes that do not respond to conservative measures is - systemic low dose estrogen therapy. This could be in the form of a pill, patch, spray or gel.
Please ask your doctor to rule out certain conditions such as overactive thyroid or unusual tumours like carcinoid as causes of hot flashes at your age. Only then should HRT ( hormone replacement therapy ) be prescribed.
All the best.
Please feel free to ask any follow up questions.
START HRT IF CONSERVATIVE MEASURES FAIL
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
It is very rare to experience hot flashes for the first time in your 70s. Less than 5 - 8 % of women experiencing menopausal symptoms present with them at this age.
That said, you may first try simple measures to alleviate hot flashes.
Dress in layered garments, so that at the first hint of a hot flash coming on, you can discard a layer or two.
Keep chilled water or ice handy.
Keep your ambient temperature cool.
Cut down on caffeine, alcohol and smoking.
Try deep breathing techniques or yoga or other recreational exercises to help you cope with the distress of hot flashes.
Certain products such as phytoestrogens, soy isoflavones, black cohosh, ginseng, vitamin E, acupuncture etc are associated with relief of symptoms, but there is no evidence based study backing these.
The ONLY evidence based therapy for recalcitrant hot flashes that do not respond to conservative measures is - systemic low dose estrogen therapy. This could be in the form of a pill, patch, spray or gel.
Please ask your doctor to rule out certain conditions such as overactive thyroid or unusual tumours like carcinoid as causes of hot flashes at your age. Only then should HRT ( hormone replacement therapy ) be prescribed.
All the best.
Please feel free to ask any follow up questions.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Mohammed Kappan
Answered by
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