Association of Various Dimensions of Hot Flashes with Systemic Levels of Gonadal Steroids

Hot flashes, the cardinal sign of menopausal vasomotor symptoms, are experienced by millions of women. The experience of hot flashes is characterized by significant inter- and intra-individual variability among women. The goals of this study were to compare concentrations of gonadal hormones between menopausal women with hot flashes (HF) and those with no HF, and to characterize the association between steroid levels and multiple dimensions of hot flashes. Menopausal women, with HF and with no HF, participated in four study sessions, one every 2 months. The Menopausal Vasomotor Symptom (MVS) survey was used to collect subjective data on various dimensions of hot flashes. Concentrations of gonadal hormones were measure at each bi-monthly session. Steroid levels were correlated to duration, frequency, length of each episode, timing, intensity, and bothersomeness of hot flashes. Data from twenty (n = 20) women with HF and fifteen (n = 15) with no HF with similar demographic profiles were analyzed. The result...