The relationship between vasomotor symptoms and menopause-associated dizziness

Abstract

Conclusion: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and especially hot flushes are negatively associated with recovery from menopause-related dizziness. A further study is justified to determine whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can shorten this recovery time. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the rate of recovery from dizziness between patients who had VMS and those who did not. We also evaluated the effect of HRT on recovery from dizziness. Methods: The medical records of 85 women aged between 40 and 59 years were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were asked detailed questions about their menopausal symptoms as well as any episodes of dizziness, which were diagnosed on the basis of neuro-otological examinations and were treated appropriately. All patients were followed up until dizziness improved. Results: Over a 2-month period, the rate of recovery from vertigo was significantly higher in patients without VMS (no-VMS group, n = 38) than in those with VMS (VMS group, n = 29). In the VMS group, patients treated with HRT (n = 7) recovered from dizziness more quickly than those who were not treated with HRT (n = 22), although this difference was not statistically significant.

Keywords::

• Hot flushes
• hot flashes
• hormone replacement therapy
• HRT

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Professor T. Kinoshita of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Toho University and Emeritus Professor M. Yamamoto of Toho University for their valuable suggestions. The authors also thank Mr Yukio Fukuda for his valuable advice regarding the statistical analysis.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.