14 Years Of Hot Flashes? Seriously?

A new study says that eight in ten women who experience hot flashes may feel the heat for a long time. INSIDE EDITION has the scoop.

The airwaves are burning up with reaction to big news about hot flashes.

Hoda Kotb commented on the Today show, saying, "People always ask us why we wear sleeveless, and we're like, well if you knew, you'd understand!"

Kelly Ripa said, "When you think what we have to go through, between the child bearing years and suddenly the night sweats."

We used to think that menopausal women suffered hot flashes for, at most, a few years. But, a new study says that's not the case.

"Up To 14 Years of Hot Flashes Found in Menopause Study," reads The New York Times headline.

The news has sparked women everywhere to open up about their experiences, like the Today show's Kathie Lee Gifford. She said, "Let's do the math, I started getting them when I was 41, that's 20 years ago."

Gifford is now 61.

Hot flashes affect 80% of middle-aged women. It happens when a drop in estrogen leaves them sweaty and flushed.

We asked obstetrician Dr. Lisa Masterson about the new study. She told INSIDE EDITION, "Hot flashes for women are very difficult because they can be embarrassing, they can wake them up in the middle of the night. Go talk to your doctor about all the different options because there are a lot of different options now."