The role of anxiety and hormonal changes in menopausal hot flashes

• DOI: 10.1097/01.gme.0000142440.49698.b7
• Publication Date: 2005-05-04T08:01:49Z
• Authors: Ellen W Freeman; Mary D Sammel; Hui Lin; Clarisa R Gracia; Shiv Kapoor; Tahmina Ferdousi
• Keywords: Hot flash; Surgical Menopause

In Brief Objective: To estimate the association of anxiety with menopausal hot flashes in early transition to menopause. Design: A randomly identified, population-based cohort midlife women followed up for 6 years assess reproductive hormones and other physical, emotional, behavioral factors. At enrollment, were premenopausal, aged 35 47 years, had regular menstrual cycles normal range. Enrollment was stratified obtain equal numbers African American (n = 219) white 217) women. Results: 6-year endpoint, 32% stage 20% reached late or postmenopausal. Reports increased stages, which determined by bleeding patterns. reported 37% premenopausal women, 48% those transition, 63% 79% postmenopausal Anxiety scores significantly associated occurrence also severity frequency (each outcome at P < 0.001). Compared range, moderate nearly three times more likely report high five flashes. remained strongly after adjusting menopause stage, depressive symptoms, smoking, body mass index, estradiol, race, age, time. a predictive model, levels previous assessment period change from predicted (P Conclusions: is variables including estradiol levels. preceded this cohort. Additional studies are needed examine duration determine whether treatments that target effectively reduce reports cohort, important factors These findings suggest may be potential clinical management