Skip to main content

Vasomotor Symptoms

Meaning

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) are acute, transient episodes of uncomfortable physiological responses, commonly known as hot flashes or night sweats, that are intrinsically linked to the hormonal fluctuations characterizing the perimenopausal and postmenopausal transition. These symptoms represent a fundamental, temporary disruption in the body’s central thermoregulatory control mechanism located within the hypothalamus. Clinically, VMS are the most frequently reported and often the most bothersome complaints of menopause, significantly impacting sleep quality and overall daily function. They are considered a direct and highly visible clinical manifestation of the physiological process of estrogen withdrawal.