1. a state of misfortune or affliction. 2. something hard to endure. 3. something that causes or entails suffering. Familiarity information: HARDSHIP used as a noun is uncommon.
A single hot flash can last anywhere from one to five minutes and may occur a few times a week for some women or daily for others. When hot flashes are severe, they may strike four or five times an hour or 20 to 30 times a day, Omicioli says.
Hot flashes are arguably one of the worst parts of menopause, and they affect about 75% of post-menopausal women and almost half of perimenopausal women. They come on suddenly, can happen multiple times a day or week and may persist for years.