Vasomotor Symptoms

“Vasomotor symptoms. Also known as hot flashes
and night sweats, common symptoms during
perimenopause and early postmenopause”.1

Umbrella

What may the Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS) Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Hot Flashes/Flushes
  • Night Sweats
  • Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS)

Vasomotor Symptoms

What are vasomotor symptoms (VMS)?

DotS the definition of VMS may vary. The (United States) Menopause Society’s (formerly the North American Menopause Society) definition is:

“Vasomotor symptoms. Also known as hot flashes and night sweats, common symptoms during perimenopause and early postmenopause”.2

Common or Not

How common are VMS?

In Menopause: Hot Flashes the (United States) Endocrine Society elaborate on:

“Hot flashes also known as vasomotor symptoms are extremely common, affecting approximately 75% of women as they go through menopause. Symptoms can begin during the perimenopausal transition and last from a few years to over 10 years. When moderate to severe, they can have a significant impact on quality of life, especially due to the associated sleep disturbances. These sleep disturbances may affect energy, mood and metabolism”.3

Stop

When do VMS stop?

In Hot Flashes: Symptoms and Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic NAMS explain:

“On average, hot flash symptoms persist for more than seven years. Some women have them for more than 10 years”.4

Healthy Lifestyle

Can a healthy lifestyle lifestyle improve VMS?

On page one in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

  • “Women should be advised that implementing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle can improve menopause symptoms. A healthy diet (one low in saturated fat and salt and rich in calcium and vitamin D), stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and including regular exercise can be beneficial. Reducing caffeine intake may also improve symptoms.
  • Alternative therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, may also improve hot flushes, nights sweats and other menopausal symptoms and can be considered in women who do not wish to take HRT or have contraindications to taking HRT”.5

Hormone Therapy

Can hormone therapy (HT) or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) be prescribed for the treatment of VMS?

Vasomotor SymptomsOn page two of Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 1. Who Is MHT For? the International Menopause Society’s (IMS) Leaflet for Women for World Menopause Day 2024, the IMS explain:

“Your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor, nurse, etc.) may offer you MHT if you are dealing with symptoms that affect your daily life. It can help with:

  • Hot flushes: Sudden heat sensations in the face and upper body, often followed by sweating
  • Night sweats: Waking up drenched in sweat, which can disrupt sleep…”.6

Hormone Therapy Effectiveness

How effective is HT for the treatment of VMS?

On page one in The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy: Indications for the Use of Hormone Therapy, published October 2024, the Menopause Society note:

“Hormone therapy remains first-line therapy for management of bothersome vasomotor symptoms, and the benefits typically outweigh the risks for most healthy women when initiated younger than age 60 years or within 10 years of menopause onset with appropriate counseling.

Hormone therapy is indicated for the treatment of bothersome vasomotor symptoms,
genitourinary syndrome of menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency, and prevention of bone loss and reduction of fracture risk”.7

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have VMS?

On page two in Optimising the Menopause Transition: Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published 10 June 2022, Hamoda et al. elaborate on:

“Women should be able to seek advice and evidence-based information on how to optimise their menopausal transition and the years beyond. It is important to look not only at the role of HRT when discussing the menopause with women but also to offer advice regarding lifestyle and diet modifications such as exercise, optimising weight, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol as well as the advantages and disadvantages of their management options including HRT and alternative therapies”.8

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to the Vasomotor Symptoms?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Vasomotor Symptoms?

Your country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]
  2. Ask Early Menopause [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  3. BMS & WHC’s 2020 Recommendations on Hormone Replacement Therapy In Menopausal Women
  4. BMS TV: Bioidentical Hormones
  5. BMS TV: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  6. BMS TV: Menopause Explained
  7. Bioidentical Custom Compounded Hormone Therapy
  8. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  9. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  10. Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy [Video]
  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  12. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
  13. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Menopause
  14. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  15. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
  16. Does Having Hot Flashes Mean I’ve Started Menopause?
  17. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In New Video
  18. FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause
  19. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  20. Find An AMS Member [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  21. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  22. HRT
  23. HRT – Types, Doses and Regimens
  24. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  25. Hormonal and Nonhormonal Therapy for Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
  26. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  27. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  28. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  29. Hot Flashes
  30. Hot Flashes
  31. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  32. Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms
  33. How Long Will I Have Hot Flashes and What Causes Them?
  34. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  35. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Menopause
  36. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  37. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Myths] [Other Languages and Formats]
  38. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP] [Other Languages and Formats]
  39. Learning To Cope With Hot Flashes
  40. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  41. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  42. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  43. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  44. Menopause
  45. Menopause
  46. Menopause
  47. Menopause
    Menopause
  48. Menopause Checklist Podcast
  49. Menopause Glossary
  50. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Vasomotor Symptoms
  51. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Vasomotor Symptoms
  52. Menopause Mindfulness: A Personal Toolkit for Menopause Preparedness
  53. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  54. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  55. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 5. Lifestyle Advice In Menopause & Perimenopause
  56. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Lifestyle Tips for Menopause Wellness
  57. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: What Is Menopause?
  58. Menopause Signs and Symptoms
  59. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  60. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  61. Menopause and Natural Therapies
  62. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  63. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]
    Vasomotor Symptoms
  64. Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024
  65. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  66. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  67. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  68. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  69. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
  70. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  71. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  72. Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  73. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  74. Perimenopause
  75. Perimenopause
  76. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  77. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  78. Prevalence and Impact of Vasomotor Symptoms Due To Menopause Among Women In Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Nordic Europe: A Cross-Sectional Survey
  79. Shedding Light on the Menopause Experience and Demystifying Treatment [Video]
  80. Stages of Menopause
  81. Symptoms of Menopause
  82. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause
  83. The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy
  84. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  85. The Women’s Study for the Alleviation of Vasomotor Symptoms (WAVS): A Randomized, Controlled Trial of A Plant-Based Diet and Whole Soybeans for Postmenopausal Women [+ Video Summary]
  86. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  87. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  88. Vasomotor Epidemiology and Challenges In the Workplace
  89. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  90. Webinar: Perimenopause
  91. Webinars: Previous – Non-Hormonal Pharmacological Interventions For VMS
  92. Webinars: Previous – Non-Pharmacological Interventions For VMS
  93. What Can I Do To Help With Hot Flashes?
  94. What Does A Hot Flash Feel Like?
  95. What Is Menopause?
  96. What Is Menopause?
  97. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  98. World Menopause Day 2024: IMS White Paper: Menopause and MHT In 2024: Addressing the Key Controversies [Multiply Languages]
  99. Vasomotor SymptomsWorld Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women [Multiply Languages]
  100. World Menopause Day 2024: Poster for Women

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources at:

Sources

  1. Menopause Definitions: V – Vasomotor Symptoms. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-glossary Accessed: 22 January 2025
  2. Menopause Definitions: V – Vasomotor Symptoms. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-glossary Accessed: 22 January 2025
  3. Menopause: Hot Flashes. Last Updated: 24 January 2022. Endocrine Society https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/menopause Accessed: 22 January 2025
  4. Hot Flashes: Symptoms and Causes – Overview. 12 December 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/symptoms-causes/syc-20352790 Accessed: 22 January 2025
  5. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:3-4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 22 January 2025
  6. Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 1. Who Is MHT For? 2024:4. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-WMD-Leaflet_English.pdf Accessed: 22 January 2025
  7. The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy: Indications for the Use of Hormone Therapy. 2024:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TMS-statement-on-HT-Misinformation.pdf Accessed: 22 January 2025
  8. Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Optimising the Menopause Transition: Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published 10 June 2022:1 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691221104882 Accessed: 22 January 2025
Topic Last Updated: 22 January 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 22 January 2025

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