Vasomotor Symptoms

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) — hot flashes and night sweats — are the hallmark symptoms of menopause, experienced by 60-80% of women. They result from narrowing of the thermoneutral zone in the hypothalamus due to declining estrogen levels. A hot flash typically involves sudden heat sensation, flushing, perspiration, and sometimes palpitations, lasting 1-5 minutes. Night sweats can significantly fragment sleep, leading to chronic sleep deprivation. VMS can persist for an average of 7.4 years. In supplement research, compounds with phytoestrogenic or serotonergic activity (hops, saffron, isoflavones) are studied for their potential to widen the thermoneutral zone and reduce VMS frequency.