CORE BODY-TEMPERATURE DURING MENOPAUSAL HOT FLUSHES

Objective: To measure core body temperature by ingested radiotelemetry pill and rectal temperature during menopausal hot flushes under contr olled laboratory conditions. Design: Patients were recorded during sle ep using both methods in a sound-proofed, temperature- and humidity-co ntrolled laboratory room. Setting: University medical center. Patients : Eight postmenopausal women who were amenorrheic for greater than or equal to 1 year and reported frequent hot flushes. Results: Thirty-sev en hot flushes were detected by criterion increases in sternal skin co nductance level. Significant increases in telemetered but not rectal t emperature occurred before 24 of the hot flushes. Conclusions: Core bo dy temperature elevations precede a majority of menopausal hot flushes and serve as one trigger of this heat-loss phenomenon.