I am a 50 years old and had a total hysterectomy 4 1/2 years ago. I have never been on replacement hormones, due to a tia 6 months after my total hysterectomy. I have recently been dx with high choletrol 319 and a low Vit D level. I am taking Vit D 50,000UI 2x week, and a daily med for cholestrol. I suffer from What I call Hot Flashes everyday. This has been going on for along time (years) I get a sick feeling in my stomache, my vision gets slightly blurred, my heart pounds rapidly,and I sweat terribly. My question is- How many is normal? Yesterday I journaled them-I had 8 during the day and 4 during the night. Yesterday was actually a good day? Thank you for your help.

Hot flashes occur in over 75% of all menopausal women lasting anywhere for a few months to over a decade. The onset, duration, and frequency of hot flashes vary from woman to woman so there is no fixed number of hot flashes per day that is considered “normal.”

Hot flashes can be triggered by environmental and dietary factors. Patients should avoid warm environments, spicy foods, and consuming caffeine. In addition, cigarette smoking and stress can also trigger hot flashes. Hormone replacement therapy has been used to treat hot flashes but alternatives exist. Evening of Primose oil has been used to treat menopausal symptoms but it may take weeks to months before effects are experienced. Vitamin E supplementation has also been shown to decrease hot flashes. Lastly, a diet rich in soy and low in red meat can decrease the frequency of hot flashes.

Lastly, your symptoms of “a sick feeling in my stomache, my vision gets slightly blurred, my heart pounds rapidly, and I sweat terribly” is also suspicious of heart arrhythmias, hyperthyroidism, and pheochromocytomas. Therefore, you should be evaluated by your primary care physician for these symptoms.