Keywords: menopause hot flashes estrogen ovary removal of ovaries hysterectomy FSH follicular stimulating hormone

Through peri-menopause, the most common changes (experienced by as much as two-thirds of women) are called "vasomotor" --meaning that they result from a change of the circulation (such as increased blood flow, temperature, and heart rate) and manifest as a hot flash or flush. A woman having a hot flash becomes very warm and may perspire; a cold chill often follows. Hot flashes present no inherent health hazard, but they can certainly be annoying, and are sometimes even debilitating. Low levels of the hormone estrogen. cause the brain to release a hormone--GNRH in surges. The sudden releases cause the hot flash. The periodic release of GNRH is generally worse at night. Women who are obese are less likely to develop hot flashes, since some estrogen is available from fatty tissue; very thin women tend to have more problems.

Women who have an "induced" menopause (through surgical removal of their ovaries or when ovaries are damaged through certain drugs or x-rays), as well as women who have an "early" natural menopause (before age 40) usually have a sudden onset of vasomotor symptoms. For this reason, their symptoms may be more acute and they may need higher doses of estrogen hormones that a woman whose menopause experience is more gradual. they may also be at greater risk for health problems later in life since they will spend more years without the protective effect of estrogen.

Dr. Andrew Dott  teaches advances hysteroscopic and laparoscopic surgical techniques, is on the speaker's panels for several American pharmaceutical companies and is a professional lecturer.  Among his lecture topics are female and male menopause, menopause, herbs and medications, endometriosis, and contraception.  He is available to travel and give seminars on the topics covered in this website both nationally and internationally.