POSTMENOPAUSAL HOT FLUSHES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

Hot flushes are frequently incapacitating to the patient and the sever e vasomotor disturbances may seriously impair normal daily life. This review attempts to provide an understanding of the pathophysiology of the hot flush as a basis for rationale therapy for each individual pat ient. The physiological mechanisms controlling body temperature are di scussed briefly, and the changes in the system which precipitate the m enopausal hot flush are detailed. The neuroendocrine events leading to the onset of the flushing syndrome are then considered. Finally, the therapeutic strategies which may be used in the management of the affe cted patient are discussed.