Menopause is an inevitable time in a women’s life that comes with some uncomfortable side effects that may last for a considerable amount of time. Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause, as well as the most aggravating and uncomfortable symptom. Although these are not life threatening, hot flashes can easily interrupt normal, everyday life. Sometimes hot flashes can even last many years after menopause begins.

A Penn Medicine Study found that moderate to severe hot flashes continue, on average, “for nearly five years after menopause, and more than a third of women experience moderate/severe hot flashes for 10 years or more after menopause.”

Hot flashes are periods of intense, sudden feelings of warmth. The skin may redden, and symptoms are usually most intense over the face, neck and chest. The cause of the hot flash is not known, but several factors can contribute.