The menopausal hot flush: a review

Abstract

The hot flush is the most characteristic and often the most distressing symptom of the menopause. It is a unique feature and yet the mechanism and health implications are still not fully understood. This review summarizes some of the current thoughts on factors contributing to flushing, the physiological, vascular and neuroendocrine changes associated with flushing and the possible cardiovascular and other health implications for women experiencing hot flushes. Therapy is not discussed.

Keywords:

• Hot flush
• menopause
• vasomotor symptoms
• frequency
• global variation
• problem rating
• physiological changes
• vascular reactivity
• neuroendocrine factors
• kisseptin
• calcitonin gene related peptide
• brain function
• memory
• cardiovascular disease

Conflict of interest

None of the authors consider that they have any conflict of interest in writing this article.

Source of funding

Nil.