What actually causes the hot flash and sweats of menopause?
Ellen Ellen, Falling hormone levels in the body stimulate the vasoregulatory centers in the hypothalamus, (parts of your brain). This results in vasodilation (or relaxation) of the vessels in your body, which then leads to increased blood in those vessels causing the “hot flash.” Sweats typically accompany this relaxation of the vessels and increased blood to help your body reduce its temperature. Q: Dr. P, my doctor suggests I start taking estrogen, do you agree? Carrie Carrie, This depends on many things, and must be discussed in considerable detail in an office visit. Factors affecting this decision include: if you are at risk for or have osteoporosis– (see last month’s column for a discussion on osteoporosis,) and if you have a family or personal history of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, blood clots, or gall bladder disease. If you are at risk for osteoporosis, have you tried to improve your bone density through therapeutic nutrition, weight bearing exercise, lifestyle changes
