This article is part ofHealth Divide: Menopause and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series.
Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) includehot flashes and night sweats.
They are the most common symptom people seek treatment for during menopause.
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For example, Black people are more likely to experience them than White people.
This article discusses vasomotor symptoms during menopause.
Hot flashes come on suddenly and last for a brief period, usually just a few minutes.
What Causes Vasomotor Symptoms?
Hormonal fluctuations(changes) cause menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
Experts believe these declining hormones are responsible for VMS during menopause.
Hormone Therapy
The goal ofhormone therapyis to reduce VMS.
Hormones also effectively reducevaginal dryness,insomnia, andbone density.
Hormone therapy may be estrogen-only or estrogen and progesterone.
Systemic (in the bloodstream) estrogen therapy is most effective for hot flashes.
Estrogen-only therapy is associated with a higher risk ofendometrial cancerand therefore is not recommended for women with a uterus.
Combined hormone therapy slightly increases therisk of breast cancerbut decreases the risk ofcolon cancer.
Hormone therapy also increases the risk of a heart attack in older people.
In addition, it slightly increases therisk of stroke,blood clots, andgallbladder disease.
Alternative Treatments
Alternative treatments often have limited evidence to support their use.
However, some people prefer to try less-invasive treatments first.
Another study found that mind-body care, like meditation, can ease menopausal symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
Some lifestyle changes can help you manage vasomotor symptoms.
you could also turn down your thermostat at night, open a window, and keep a fan on.
Keeping a change of clothes beside your bed may also help if you get too sweaty.
Can Vasomotor Symptoms Be Prevented?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to prevent menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
Summary
Vasomotor symptoms during menopause include hot flashes and night sweats.
They are prevalent, affecting the majority of people who go through menopause.
Treatments include hormones, nonhormonal medication, alternative therapies like meditation and relaxation, and lifestyle changes.
North American Menopause Society.Menopause FAQs: Hot flashes.
Miller SR, Gallicchio LM, Lewis LM, et al.Association between race and hot flashes in midlife women.
University of Washington Medicine.What happens to your body during a hot flash?.
National Institute on Aging.Hot flashes: What can I do?.
UpToDate.Patient education: non-estrogen treatments for menopausal symptoms.
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