What is VMS Menopause? Unveiling the Symptoms, Their Causes and Treatments
Women experience a range of symptoms during the menopausal transition in their life.
The most prevalent of them are hot flashes and night sweats.
These two symptoms fall under the category of VMS, i.e., Vasomotor Symptoms associated with Menopause.
Now, what is VMS Menopause essentially, and is there a treatment available?
Let’s understand the VMS Menopause at the root and explore effective treatment strategies.
Understanding VMS in Menopause
Vasomotor means action upon a blood vessel that constricts (vasoconstrictor) or dilates (vasodilator) the diameter of the vessel.
Hot flashes and night sweats are the Vasomotor symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition.
These are characterized by sudden feelings of intense internal heat that spreads across the body, particularly the face, neck, and chest.
They are frequently accompanied by sweating, flushed skin, chills, and a rapid heartbeat.
When they occur at night, they are referred to as night sweats.
Women observe a narrowed thermoneutral zone (the temperature range in which a person feels neither too hot nor too cold) during the menopausal transition.
Hot flashes involve vasodilation of blood vessels as a heat dissipation event in response to the changes in body temperature, thus characterized as Vasomotor symptoms.
What causes Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
VMS in Menopause is believed to be caused by changes in the central nervous system related to Estrogen withdrawal.
The Hypothalamus, the brain component that regulates body temperature, is crucial in triggering these episodes.
Decreased Estrogen levels lead to imbalanced thermoregulatory processes in the body, specifically in the Hypothalamus.
Imbalanced Hypothalamic thermoregulatory control interprets small body temperature oscillations as major changes resulting in an abnormal vasodilatory response.
This leads to the trigger of cooling mechanisms such as flushing and sweating, i.e., hot flashes.
Strategies to treat VMS Menopause
Hot flashes impair a woman’s quality of life significantly.
VMS Menopause is linked to disturbances in mood, sleep, and cognitive function, affecting a woman’s daily life.
Furthermore, these symptoms are also associated with additional health risks, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the deterioration of bone health.
While not all women necessarily experience these symptoms, it is necessary to implement management strategies for those impacted by them.
Here are a few effective solutions to minimize hot flash troubles:
Hormone Therapy (HT)
Hormone Therapy may be considered a viable option to alleviate the VMS Menopause symptoms.
However, it is vital to weigh individual risks and benefits carefully before undergoing Hormone Therapy, as it may not suit everyone.
HT can be given in various ways, including orally, through injections, topically, by placing it on the inside of the cheek, vaginally, or through the skin.
This therapy involves the administration of Estrogen or a combination of Estrogen and Progestin to help restore hormone balance.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy has proven to be most effective in checking the frequency of hot flashes, with more than 75% reductions observed in many cases.
Progesterone treatment should be a consideration in women who cannot take Estrogen therapy.
Non-hormonal medications
A few non-hormonal medications have been found to be effective in alleviating Vasomotor symptoms of Menopause, including:
- Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Paroxetine
- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Venlafaxine, Desvenlafaxine
- Gabapentin/Pregabalin
- Clonidine
These medications function by influencing the brain chemicals responsible for regulating body temperature.
The FDA approved Paroxetine as the first non-hormonal prescription medication for treating VMS Menopause.
Lifestyle modifications
By incorporating small lifestyle changes, it is possible to get substantial relief from the Vasomotor symptoms associated with Menopause.
It has been noted that specific triggers contribute to VMS Menopause, and these triggers vary among women.
They can include warm environments, hot drinks, emotional stress, caffeine, and alcohol.
Some women may experience hot flashes after eating spicy food.
Hence, VMS Menopause can be minimized significantly if these triggers can be avoided.
Lifestyle habits such as layering clothes, maintaining a lower room temperature, and drinking cool drinks can help reduce sudden fluctuations in body temperature.
This, in turn, can further minimize Vasomotor symptoms of Menopause.
Hot flashes are more prevalent among both current and former smokers in VMS Menopause.
Therefore, giving up smoking could also provide soothing relief from hot flashes.
Complementary and alternative therapies
Some women may find relief from VMS Menopause through complementary and alternative therapies.
Stress-reducing practices like deep breathing exercises or meditation can help reduce the discomfort from Vasomotor Symptoms in Menopause.
Herbal remedies such as black cohosh, soy extract, red clover isoflavones, or evening primrose oil may also be beneficial.
However, it is essential to consult a doctor before trying alternative treatments in VMS Menopause.
Summary
Hot flashes and night sweats are a type of Vasomotor Symptoms related to Menopause as they involve Vasomotor actions.
These are characterized by an abrupt sensation of heat and sweating, primarily in the upper body.
Vasomotor Symptoms related to Menopause are believed to be triggered by changes in the central nervous system due to Estrogen withdrawal.
These are common and bothersome symptoms, often causing distress and significantly impacting a woman’s daily life.
However, they are considered a normal phenomenon and can be effectively managed through Hormone Therapy or medications, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies.
Estrogen Therapy, among them, has demonstrated the best results in treating VMS Menopause.
However, Hormone Therapy might not be suitable for every individual.
It is crucial to consult with a doctor before adopting any management regimen for Vasomotor Symptoms related to Menopause.
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