We all get effected by this lack of oestrogen in different ways. Some experience quite sudden hot flushes that creep along the body and subside after a few minutes. Some, like me, simply find they can't control their body thermostat - so I react to changes of temperature e.g. going into a hot room and often remain hot and sweaty for some time. The intensity/severity of hot flushes can gradually worsen or lessen as the oestrogen levels drop after the last period, bottoming out around 2 years into post meno but the amount of time it takes for the body to adjust and settle and the flushes reduce can take months or years - sadly for some they never really go.
Recent studies have shown that symptoms last for between 2-7 years but there are so many other factors to be taken into account this must be difficult to gage. Excess weight, poor diet, smoking and drinking alcohol can have an effect - though many of us are simply unlucky and suffer despite doing the all the right things. Life isn't fair and I'm sure our genes have a good deal to do with all this. DG x
