The head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service at the Miguel Servet University Hospital in Zaragoza, Laura Baquedano, has explained that high temperatures act as an additional factor that triggers hot flashes during menopause. For this reason, during the summer months, it is common for the number of consultations from women who notice a worsening of hot flashes that, until then, had remained relatively controlled to increase.
This observation coincides with a study published in 2020 in the journal 'Menopause', which indicates that the probability of experiencing hot flashes increases by 66 percent in July compared to January, the month in which the lowest level of the year is recorded. Episodes of night sweats follow a comparable pattern, with a 50 percent higher probability during the hottest periods.
"The increase in ambient temperature acts as an additional trigger on a thermoregulatory system that is already altered by estrogen deficiency," Laura Baquedano specified while detailing the mechanism that explains this phenomenon.
The scientific literature agrees that vasomotor symptoms (VMS), generally known as hot flashes and night sweats, are among the most common manifestations of menopause. In Spain, 86 percent of women present some symptom linked to this life phase, and hot flashes rank among the four most common.
It is estimated that up to 80 percent of women in menopause experience these episodes. In approximately one in four cases, the intensity is moderate or severe, and around 10 percent acknowledge that they directly affect their daily routine. Despite their impact, VMS continue to be a health problem that is often undertreated.
A digital tool to record hot flashes
In this scenario, Astellas Pharma has launched the 'Hot Flash Diary', a free web app, available from any device and that does not require download or prior registration. This digital solution, endorsed by the Spanish Association for the Study of Menopause (AEEM), offers each woman the possibility to note the frequency, intensity, time of day, and possible triggers of her hot flashes, track their evolution through graphs, and prepare a report to share with her doctor before or during the visit.
Doctor Baquedano has highlighted the usefulness of this tool, as it will allow professionals to have more objective data about the episodes reported by their patients and, with that, facilitate therapeutic decision-making. "Hot flashes are subjective symptoms, and each woman experiences them differently. Many patients have difficulty accurately remembering their frequency or intensity when we ask them in the consultation," she indicated.
Likewise, she has encouraged women who suffer from frequent hot flashes or that disrupt their daily lives to see a specialist to evaluate the available treatment options. "Many women believe that hot flashes are an inevitable consequence of menopause and do not consult about them (...) The first step is to become aware of it and discuss it with a healthcare professional," she emphasized.
"At Astellas, we believe that women's health should be addressed with solutions that respond to real needs and better accompany each stage of their lives. With the 'Hot Flash Diary,' we want to contribute to women in this stage of life being able to better understand their symptoms, in order to prepare for the consultation with their doctor and feel more supported in making decisions about their health," pointed out the medical co-lead of Astellas' Women's Health area, Ana Mora.