Fertility and Sterility
Volume 70, Issue 5 , Pages 913-918, November 1998

Menopausal-like hot flashes reported in women of reproductive age☆

Presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 25, 1993.

  • Philip M Hahn (M.Sc.)

      Affiliations

    • Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
    • ,
  • Jacqueline Wong, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
    • Present address: Weeneebayko General Hospital, Moose Factory, Ontario, Canada.
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Robert L. Reid, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6 (FAX: 613-545-6779
    • ,
  • Robert L Reid, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Received 20 January 1998; received in revised form 15 June 1998; accepted 15 June 1998.

Abstract 

Objective: To report the occurrence of menopausal-like hot flashes in women of reproductive age (18–45 years).

Design: Observational, prospective cohort study with a retrospective survey component.

Setting: Tertiary care premenstrual syndrome (PMS) clinic and university campus.

Patient(s): Patients with confirmed PMS (n = 157) were compared with those with chronic menstrual cycle–related symptoms (n = 27). Women without menstrual cycle–related symptoms were solicited as controls (n = 58).

Intervention(s): None.

Main Outcome Measure(s): The frequency of episodes of chills and sweats and the magnitude of menstrual cycle–related symptoms were recorded over one cycle using the Prospective Record of the Impact and Severity of Menstrual Symptomatology (PRISM) Calendar. Characteristics of the episodes of chills and sweats were ascertained by a retrospective questionnaire.

Result(s): In each group, the frequency of episodes of chills and sweats closely patterned the mean daily PRISM Calendar scores. At least one episode of chills and sweats was reported by 83.4% of the PMS group and 81.5% of the chronic group compared with 43.1% of the control group. The mean (±SD) number of episodes per cycle was 5.6 ± 4.9 for the PMS group and 9.5 ± 9.1 for the chronic group compared with 1.2 ± 2.0 for the control group (the difference between all means was statistically significant).

Conclusion(s): Episodes of chills and sweats similar to menopausal hot flashes were commonly reported by women with cyclic and chronic menstrual cycle–related symptoms.

Keywords:  Hot flash, premenstrual syndrome, mood disorder, menopause, estrogen deficiency, serotonin

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☆ Supported by the Medical Research Council of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario).

PII: S0015-0282(98)00281-7

Fertility and Sterility
Volume 70, Issue 5 , Pages 913-918, November 1998

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