Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

I know that some of you watch The View and may have heard Joy Behar talk repeatedly about her hot flashes and night sweats. Although she doesn't discuss her age, all reports indicate her age as 63 or older.

I thought menopause was when your body is adjusting from the female hormone leaving it. Once the adjustment is made, you settle down. How can a person in her 60's still be going through an adjustment? Doesn't menopause start and wrap up by 55?

My mother has complained of menopause symptons from the time she was in her 30's up and until today and my mom is 65. I just thought she was exagerating, besides she supposedly had a hysterectomy in her late 30..perhaps they left her ovaries.

How long does this take? 15 years of hot flashes and night sweats sounds a little too much. Is this normal?

Debby....I have been having them for seven years now, and no end in sight! My sister has had them for twelve , and recently talked to a woman in her seventies who still gets them occasionally!!
What "pause?" I think they had it right in the old days, calling it the "change" of life...much more accurate!

Oh my. This is not good news. Let's hope they come up with something to help. I know estrogen has been proven to have considerable risks.

Believe it or not, you get used to it! However, hot flashes are not the only problem! I can't wear certain fabrics any more, have to remove all "neckline tags" as they irritate my skin now...and have developed allergies to most cleaning agents and perfumes!

I have found that drinking lots of water helps...but don't know if that would work for everyone. I also wear sleeveless nightgowns, all year round, turtle necks are long gone, replaced by Vs. The heat, at least for me, seems to be concentrated in the head / neck area. Keeping that as cool as possible makes a big difference.

I have known women who only get occasional "flashes" though, so maybe you will be one of the lucky ones, Debby!

I do too. I sleep in a sweat shirt and sweat pants in the winter, but, I keep my thermostate low to save energy. I have seen how it effects others though. I hope I am spared.

Me too Debby!! I hope I don't go into early menopause!! I sure love snuggly warm jammies and my electric blanket at night!!