Study: Latinas Experience Hot Flashes Longer

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Hot flashes and menopausal symptoms last up to 14 years—longer than the seven years that had been thought—and Hispanic and black women experience hot flashes for a considerably longer time than white women, according to a new study, Utah People’s Post reports.

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, suggests 80% of women experience hot flashes.

Hot flashes, which come and go irregularly through the day, are very unpleasant, making the body produce more sweat and flushing the face. They have been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular problems.

The earlier these menopausal symptoms appear, the longer they’re likely to persist, according to the new study.

The average duration was 7.4 years.

Longer duration (Hispanics at 8.9 years and Blacks at 10.1 years) was associated with younger age, lower educational level, history of smoking, greater perceived stress, greater sensitivity to symptoms, and depression and anxiety at the time of the first report. Shorter duration (whites at 6.5 years) was noted among women with partners, higher educational level, less financial pressure, and greater social support.

“These findings can help health care professionals counsel patients about expectations regarding [these symptoms] and assist women in making treatment decisions based on the probability of their [symptoms] persisting,” the authors conclude, according to a Medscape report.