The Curious Clinicians 94 - Flash in the PA
Jul 24, 2024
Dive into the intriguing world of hot flashes and their role in cancer treatment. Uncover the complexity of hormonal influences on reproductive health and how they contribute to these sudden temperature surges. Discover the interplay of hormones like kisspeptin and neurokinin B in women's health. Learn about the variability of hot flashes post-menopause and explore cutting-edge treatment options. Plus, ponder the evolutionary basis of these symptoms that many experience during significant life changes.
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What Are Hot Flashes?
- Hot flashes are sudden, temporary warmth, flushing, and sweating caused by vasodilation, leading to a drop in core body temperature.
- They're common in menopause and significant for health-related quality of life, often prompting healthcare visits.
Mechanism Behind Hot Flashes
- Hot flashes relate to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, with pulsatile GnRH release driving FSH and LH secretion.
- KISS1 and KNDY neurons regulate GnRH neurons, influenced locally and by estrogen negative feedback.
Why Hot Flashes Occur in Menopause
- Menopause lowers estrogen, reducing negative feedback, making KNDY neurons hypertrophy and produce more neurokinin B, which overstimulates GnRH neurons.
- This causes increased, irregular LH surges that trigger hot flashes, often stimulated by minor stressors or heat.