Case-control study, 1996
What is linked to hot flushes during midlife and menopause?
Hot flushes are linked to higher FSH levels, lower estradiol, and a history of premenstrual complaints. They become increasingly common as women approach and pass their final menstrual period.
What they did
Population-based study of 453 women aged 48-59. Researchers conducted interviews in their homes and measured hormone levels (FSH and estradiol), menstrual status, history of premenstrual complaints, and lifestyle factors.
What they found
13% of premenopausal, 37% of perimenopausal, and 62% of postmenopausal women reported hot flushes in the previous 2 weeks. Women with hot flushes had higher FSH and lower estradiol. Perimenopausal women with hot flushes were more likely to have reported premenstrual complaints 3 years earlier.
What it means for you
Hot flushes are most common as women move through menopause, and women who had premenstrual complaints earlier are more likely to experience them. This is a real-world population study but observational, so we cannot conclude that early premenstrual complaints cause later hot flushes.
453
women studied
62%
postmenopausal women with hot flushes
37%
perimenopausal women with hot flushes
About the study
- Original title
- Hot flushes, menstrual status, and hormone levels in a population-based sample of midlife women
- Authors
- Guthrie JR, Dennerstein L, Hopper JL et al.
- Journal
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 1996
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 453
- What was tested
- None - this was an observational study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0029-7844(96)00196-2
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