What causes the hot flashes and sweats of menopause?
Falling hormone levels in the body cause stimulation of the vasoregulatory centers in the hypothalamus of the brain. This results in vasodilation (or relaxation) of the vessels in the body which leads to pooling of blood in those vessels and the “hot flash.” Sweats typically accompany vasodilation in the body to help regulate (reduce) the body temperature. Q: Dr. P, Should I use estrogen? This depends on many things, and must be discussed in considerable detail one-on-one. Examples of factors affecting this decision include: if you are at risk for or have osteoporosis– (see last month’s column for a summary of risk factors for osteoporosis, and how to test your osteoporosis risk); if you have a family or personal history of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, blood clots, or gall bladder disease; and, if you are at risk for osteoporosis, have you tried to improve your bone density through therapeutic nutrition, weight bearing exercise, lifestyle changes or natural medicines? If in fact
