The hot flash: pathophysiology and treatment

Hot flashes are the most frequent somatic complaint of women going through the menopause. Although the exact pathophysiology of the hot flash remains unknown, it appears to be related to an alteration in the set point of the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center. With the withdrawal of estrogen, some event parallel to the release of GnRH (and subsequent release of LH) causes a decrease in the set point of the thermoregulatory center. The hot flash, with its characteristic sweating and vasodilation, represents the attempt to decrease the body core temperature and restore equilibrium. Estrogen therapy reliably treats hot flashes in the majority of women in addition to its proven beneficial effect on heart disease and osteoporosis. It is rare that health care providers can so reliably and safely positively impact on a patient's symptoms and overall health.