Effect of methyldopa on menopausal flushes, skin temperature, and luteinizing hormone secretion

The effect of methyldopa (100 mg intravenously), the precursor of the alpha-receptor agonist alpha-methylnorepinephrine, on subjectively experienced menopausal flushes, skin temperature, and luteinizing hormone secretion was investigated in seven women in a double-blind, saline-controlled, crossover study. Subjects were monitored over a 3-hour period. Methyldopa significantly decreased the number of subjective flushes (p less than 0.05) and the number of cutaneous temperature peaks (p less than 0.05) but had no effect on the number of luteinizing hormone secretory pulses, variability of luteinizing hormone secretion, or total luteinizing hormone secretion. These studies indicate that alpha-adrenergic mechanisms (central and/or peripheral) play a role in the pathophysiology of menopausal flushes.