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Abstract
Hot flushes are not caused by hypergonadotrophinaemia. This is apparent because peaks
of gonadotrophin in the serum do not coincide with cutaneously measured hot flushes
while such flushes still occur in hypophysectomized women. Gonadotrophin-releasing
hormone and other neurotransmitters (possibly β-endorphin) affect thermoregulation.
The following hypothesis is advanced. During the climacteric period neurotransmitter
changes, a decrease in catechol oestrogens, a decrease in α-2-adrenoceptor activity
and cessation of ovarian steroid production may lead to alterations in endogenous
opiate activity and thus to disturbances of thermoregulation, resulting in the occurrence
of hot flushes. Low β-endorphin levels in the peripheral plasma, which rise again
following oestrogen treatment, are observed during the climacteric. On the other hand,
women with severe hot flushes caused by a stress event show enormously increased β-endorphin
values, which are normalized by hormone substitution therapy acting via still unknown
neuroendocrinological feedback mechanisms.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
December 30,
1987
Received in revised form:
October 26,
1987
Received:
June 12,
1987
Identification
Copyright
© 1988 Published by Elsevier Inc.
