Menopause is the cessation of menstruation in the human female, occurring usually around the age of 50, usually preceded by perimenopause (1). The transition from the perimenopauseal period through menopause is not a universally similar experience and is highly conditioned by sociocultural factors. Longitudinal studies indicate that the majority of women experience menopause as a normal physiological event, without significant difficulties.
Women can experience various vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, cold sweats, night sweats, insomnia, and palpitations. 41% of regularly menstruating women aged 39 and over reported vasomotor symptoms. 85% of women in the late perimenopause and early postmenopause reported the same symptoms, while 57% still experience vasomotor symptoms more than 10 years from the last menstrual period. Vasomotor symptoms can be caused by estrogen deficiency, which leads to acute intermittent changes in the set point for hypothalamic thermoregulation. Neuroendocrine discharges within the hypothalamus trigger peripheral vasodilation and sweating.