An overview of menopause associated vasomotor symptoms and options available in its management.

BACKGROUND

Vasomotor Symptoms are the most common and distressing menopausal complaint, for which women seek advice from their physician.

OBJECTIVE

To review menopausal associated vasomotor symptoms and options available in its management.

METHODS

Pertinent literature on menopause associated vasomotor symptoms, selected references, textbooks, journals and internet services using the PubMed and Medline databases were included in this review.

RESULTS

Hot flushes are the most common and distressing symptom, for which women seek advice from their physician. It occurs in more than 75% of postmenopausal women. Management of hot flushes is problematic because the most recognized effective option oestrogen, is often contraindicated. This has resulted in extensive research exploring different therapeutic options for treatment of hot flushes. Currently, various safe and efficacious nonhormonal options exist but further research is still needed to improve on the treatment of hot flushes.

CONCLUSION

The management of the most common and distressing vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause (hot flushes) is controversial. Regardless of the management strategy adopted, treatment options should be periodically reassessed as menopause-related vasomotor symptoms will abate with time even without any intervention in majority of postmenopausal women.