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WHAT ARE VASOMOTOR
SYMPTOMS AND WHEN DO THEY OCCUR?
The commonest vasomotor symptoms are hot
flushes and night sweats. The latter often results in insomnia. They are sometimes accompanied by fainting episodes,
palpitation and headaches and they may arise early in the climacteric when menstruation is
still regular.
At this time, these symptoms tend to cluster in the
premenstrual week and may then be confused with Pre-Menstrual
Syndrome (PMS). However, they may also begin later, around the time of the menopause,
or they may not develop until early during the postmenopausal years.
AS FAR AS SYMPTOMS ARE CONCERNED, IS
THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A NATURAL AND SURGICAL MENOPAUSE?
Menopause induced by surgery or radiotherapy is
associated with higher incidence and with an increased severity of symptoms, the reasons
being unclear. However, it has been suggested that the climacteric allows women to adjust
gradually to lower circulating oestradiol concentrations, and that those who acclimatize
best have fewer hot flushes and night sweats. An abrupt menopause i.e. following surgery
does not allow for a period of adjustment to the lower plasma levels and therefore, the
symptoms arise abruptly and are more severe.
HOW LONG DO VASOMOTOR SYMPTOMS LAST?
70% of symptomatic women have vasomotor symptoms for 2
years; 25% have vasomotor symptoms for 5 years and 5% have vasomotor symptoms ad
infinitum.
WHAT IS THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MENOPAUSE AND SLEEP?
Studies have shown that night-time flushing and
sweating episodes are associated with periods of wakefulness, ie normal sleep
rhythm is disrupted.
There is considerable variation in the
frequency and the severity of night sweats. Some women find them very
troublesome because sweating necessitates getting out of bed several times
during the night to open a window, to take a shower, to change their clothing or
occasionally to change the bed linen. This scenario can occur nightly over many
weeks, months and sometime years. It is a potent cause of sleep deprivation, not
only to the woman but also to her partner.
CAN VASOMOTOR SYMPTOMS
CAUSE PSYCHOLOGICAL COMPLAINTS?
Yes, Click here
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