Modulation of Menopausal Hot Flashes by Ambient Temperature

-1. The effect of ambient temperature on frequency, intensity and duration of hot flashes was studied in six women with hot flashes who were exposed to cool (T a = 19°C) and warm (ira = 31°C) /'as for 8-h periods. Heart rate, skin resistance, core and skin temperatures, subjective hot flash intensity and duration were recorded. 2. In the cool T~ as compared with the warm Ta, hot flashes were significantly less frequent (3.0 HFs/8 h vs 12.2 HFs/8 h, P < 0.001) and less intense (2.0 vs 5.6, P < 0.007), and tended to be of shorter duration (2.1 min vs 5.5 min, P < 0.054). 3. The modulation of hot flashes by ambient temperature may be due to changes in central thermoregulatory thresholds, modification of thermoregnlatory effectors, or alteration of the mechanism that initiates hot flashes. Key Word Index: Menopause; hot flash; hot flush; thermoregulation; skin resistance; ambient temperature; human