SWAN: frequent hot flashes last a median of 7.4 years
The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation followed 1,449 women with frequent hot flashes or night sweats and found they lasted a median of 7.4 years in total, continuing a median of 4.5 years after the final menstrual period.
EVIDENCE:
Prospective cohort
WHY IT MATTERS
It overturned the idea that hot flashes are a brief nuisance to wait out, and supports treating bothersome symptoms properly.
Women whose symptoms began while they were still having regular periods or early in perimenopause had the longest duration, more than 11.8 years. Duration also differed by race and ethnicity, with African American women reporting the longest median duration at 10.1 years.
Higher perceived stress, depressive symptoms and anxiety when symptoms began were linked to longer duration, a reminder that midlife care should look at the whole person.
PRIMARY SOURCE
Avis NE et al. JAMA Intern Med 2015;175(4):531–539
SWAN · Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation
Educational summary reviewed by Farhan Tahir, MD. Not individual medical advice. Medicines named here require a prescription and medical supervision.
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