Menopausal Hot Flashes: A Concise Review

Ramandeep Bansal, Neelam Aggarwal, Ramandeep Bansal, Neelam Aggarwal

Abstract

Hot flashes (HFs), defined as transient sensations of heat, sweating, flushing, anxiety, and chills lasting for 1-5 min, constitute one of the most common symptoms of menopause among women though only a few seek treatment for these. The basis of HFs lies in abnormal hypothalamic thermoregulatory control resulting in abnormal vasodilatory response to minor elevations of core body temperature. Recent data suggest an important role for calcitonin gene-related peptide, hypothalamic kisspeptin, neurokinin B and dynorphin signal system, serotonin, norepinephrine in causation of HFs in addition to estrogen deficiency which plays a cardinal role. The mainstay of treatment includes hormonal replacement therapy, selective serotonin, and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in addition to lifestyle modification. In this review, we address common issues related to menopause HFs and suggest a stepwise approach to their management.

Keywords: Hormone replacement therapy; hot flashes; menopause.

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Step-wise approach to management of menopausal hot flashes

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