I am 73 years old. Is it normal to still have hot flashes?

Posted by lucip78 @lucip78, Feb 13 11:47am

I had a Urinary Artery embolization because of fibroids and soon after I went into menopause. I was 54 years old and 19 years later, I am still having hot flashes, night sweats. palpitations. And now I think it is affecting my heart since I am now having shortness of breath. I am wondering will I spend the rest of my life in this situation.

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Feb 13 12:49pm

What have your health care providers offered in the way of information and treatment? Are you on bhrt or hrt?

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Feb 13 2:21pm

@lucip78 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Some of us are now post-menopausal (that's me, for sure). I no longer have any of the symptoms you've describe.

I'm wondering the same as @gravity3. What information do you have from your provider who is treating you for menopause?

lucip78 | @lucip78 | Feb 13 5:28pm

In reply to @gravity3 "What have your health care providers offered in the way of information and treatment? Are you..." + (show)

@gravity3 I was on Climera and it worked but was removed since I still have my uterus. Another PCP prescribed Brisdell but didn't like the numbness effect.

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Feb 14 12:33am

gravity3 | @gravity3 | Feb 14 6:20am

In reply to @lucip78 "@gravity3 I was on Climera and it worked but was removed since I still have my..." + (show)

@lucip78

I have to wonder if you could benefit from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. I. My case, I started bhrt last year at 76. She started me on the lowest dose estradiol patch, progesterone gel cap and compounded testosterone cream. Now I get a combo pellet of estradiol and testosterone every 12 weeks along with the progesterone and estradiol vaginal cream. I only switched to the pellet because it felt more convenient but I may switch back to the patch and compounded testosterone along with the other two.

mcchesney | @kathleen1314 | Feb 14 8:29am

Well, all of those symptoms may be tied to hormones, which continue to go up and down and all around as long as we live. I do find that potassium salt helps my palpitations and if my BHRT is good then I also have few problems.

So my "hot flashes, night sweats. palpitations" were tied to needing my BHRT adjusted.
But it is best to rule out other problems so you might ask you doctor.