Objective techniques for the assessment of postmenopausal hot flashes

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Physiology
• Gynecology

Background:

• Postmenopausal hot flashes are a common symptom complex.
• Objective assessment methods for hot flashes are needed.
• Physiologic changes accompany subjective hot flash experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate objective monitoring methods for postmenopausal hot flashes.
• To assess the efficacy of ethinyl estradiol in managing hot flashes.
• To identify sensitive and specific physiologic indicators of hot flashes.

Main Methods:

• Continuous recording of finger and core body temperature and sternal skin conductance.
• Study involved 8 postmenopausal and 4 premenopausal women.
• Four postmenopausal women were re-evaluated after 30 days of ethinyl estradiol administration.

Main Results:

• Subjective hot flashes correlated with changes in finger temperature (82%), skin conductance (98%), and core temperature (81%).
• Physiologic marker changes were significantly greater in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women (P < .01).
• Skin conductance changes were the most sensitive and specific indicator of hot flashes; simultaneous skin conductance and finger temperature changes were highly specific.

Conclusions:

• Objective measurement of physiologic changes can reliably assess hot flashes.
• Estrogen replacement therapy effectively reduced subjective hot flashes and associated physiologic changes.
• Skin conductance measurement is a key objective tool for monitoring hot flashes.