By age 56, I thought I was going to be one of the lucky ones when it came to menopause. I thought I was going to be in the 15% of American women who do not suffer menopausal hot flashes.
I was wrong.
They started suddenly, short little pulses of heat running through my body, lasting only a minute or so. I had as many as 5-10 in an hour. I bought a dozen cheap paper fans and positioned them all over the house, in my purse, in my car. I dressed differently, wearing layers of light clothing that I could shed faster than a stadium flasher. No outer layers that had to be pulled over my head. T-shirts instead of turtlenecks. Thin warmups instead of fleece in winter.
But while I adapted to the discomfort, I also noticed something.
I never had a hot flash while exercising, playing a sport, or doing a snow sport. Even though overheating has been one of my biggest issues while playing soccer, the game didn't add to my hot flashes.
So before I initiate a clinical study or donate my body to science, I'd like to know -- has anyone else noticed this, or is it just me?
Tags: Menopause Hot Flashes Aging
