Menopause Symptoms – Metagenics Blog

Difference between vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms

By Monazza Ahmad, B.Pharm, MSc

Menopause it is undoubtedly the most confusing phase of a woman’s life. Irregular menstrual cycle and unpredictable biological changes and emotional state can negatively affect her social, professional and daily life.

Seeking help for these symptoms can feel uncomfortable, as many times women do not know how to communicate these concerns and whether or not they would be understood empathetically. At times, the complex medical conditions associated with menopause can make it difficult to follow the course of your treatment plan.

Let’s discuss the main signs and symptoms of menopause and related terminologies that may help you understand your condition as well as bring your concerns to your provider.

What are vasomotor symptoms (VMS)?

The word “bass” comes from Latin¹ which means vessel and ‘engine’ relates to movement. Thus, vasomotor symptoms are the movement of blood vessels characterized by their contraction and dilation which causes temporary irregular blood pressure which in turn changes the body temperature, making us feel hot or sweat.²

This temperature change results in hot flashes and night sweats which are the most common sign of perimenopause and menopause.^3.4

Other chronic and progressive symptoms are characterized by vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and reduced lubrication. It occurs in both the premenopausal and postmenopausal phases.⁵

Why do I feel like I’m the only one suffering from these symptoms?

During the menopausal transition, vasomotor symptoms affect approximately 80% of women in the US and vary widely from region to region.^6,7

Although a variety of symptoms are common during menopause, some go largely unreported due to their mild and non-specific nature. Up to 84% of postmenopausal women tend to simply deal with the discomfort of menopause instead of seeking medical help.^5.8

How long do these symptoms last?

Don’t worry if you have experienced vasomotor symptoms for more than a few years. For many women, it can last over a decade or two, with 4-20 hot flashes daily being common during menopause.⁹

A new long-term study of women of various races and ethnicities shows that hot flashes and night sweats can take up to 11 years to resolve in some women. Interestingly, the study further found that hot flashes lasted longer, at 9-10 years, if they started before menopause, while their duration was much shorter, at 3.5 years if women had their first hot flashes after end of the period.¹⁰

Some menopausal symptoms may worsen with age unlike other menopausal symptoms that improve over time.

How do these symptoms affect women’s quality of life?

Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, low libido, insomnia and menopausal stress contribute to a decline in quality of life. The sudden burst of sweat with hot flashes can be frightening when it occurs at a gathering, making women nervous. Vaginal dryness and decreased interest in sexual activities go hand in hand, affecting intimate relationships. All these stressful changes in the daily routine are enough to stress any woman.⁵

Some of the other concerns include brain fog, urinary incontinence, weight gainhair loss, bone loss and heart health to name a few.¹¹

Therefore, women are strongly encouraged not to ignore menopausal discomfort and instead have informed discussions with their healthcare providers to find safe solutions for their health needs.¹²

What are my relief options?

There are many options to lessen the impact of these menopausal symptoms and claim your lifestyle back. Solutions include prescription drugs, well-researched supplements, lifestyle changes, and diet. Since trial and error of wrong options can become painful and time-consuming during menopause, it’s important to discuss the best option with your provider at the right time.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): This is the most common prescription option for hot flashes, but it is usually not the first choice. Common forms are tablets, gels, skin patches, injections, and vaginal inserts. HRT is generally best suited for healthy women and those in the early stages of menopause. It is not recommended to start HRT after the age of 60. However, there are some side effects associated with HRT and it is generally considered unsafe for people with a history of heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, cancer and smoking.¹²

Rheum rhaponticum (ERr 731®): This non-hormonal solution is the top natural ingredient recommended by OBGYNs. It has been shown to improve 12 of the main symptoms of menopause by 83%. In addition to hot flashes and night sweats, it also improves sleep disorders, mood swings, sexual discomfort, anxiety, vaginal dryness, and muscle and joint health, to name a few.¹³

LIFESTYLE: Daily physical activity is important for relief from menopausal symptoms. Weight management, stress relief, increased metabolism and improved overall quality of life as a result of active movement are associated with better menopause management.¹⁴ Eating habits, eating a healthy diet, relaxing or meditating, drinking enough water, getting quality sleep, and avoiding smoking and alcohol help relieve menopause.¹⁵

Nutrition: Taking necessary supplements or eating foods rich in vitamin D, E, B₆folic acid and omegas help reduce the intensity of menopausal symptoms.¹⁶

Now that you’ve learned more about menopause symptoms and their treatment options, you may want to discuss these concerns with your healthcare provider. In our next post, we’ll look at some tips on how a patient and healthcare provider can effectively communicate these menopause challenges to each other to come up with the best treatment plan.

Bibliographical references:

1. Medical terms – analyzed, defined and explained. Accessed 5 May 2023.
2. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Accessed 5 May 2023.
3. Deecher DC et al. Understanding the pathophysiology of vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) occurring in the perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal stages. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2007, 10(6):247-257.
4. Rossmanith WG et al. What causes hot flashes? The neuroendocrine origin of vasomotor symptoms in menopause. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2009? 25 (5): 303-314.
5. Angelou K. et al. The genitourinary syndrome of menopause: a review of recent data. Cureus. 2020? 12(4):e7586.
6. Nappi RE et al. Global cross-sectional survey of women with vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause: prevalence and quality of life burden. Menopause. 2021;28(8):875–882.
7. Avis NE et al. Duration of menopausal vasomotor symptoms during the menopausal transition. JAMA Intern Med. 2015? 175 (4): 531-539.
8. Sarmento ACA et al. Genitourinary menopausal syndrome: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and diagnosis. Forward Reprod Health. 2021? 3:779398.
9. Avis NE et al. Vasomotor symptoms during the menopausal transition: differences between women. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2018;45(4):629–640.
10. Mahajan A et al. Hot flashes — how long ?? J Midlife Health. 2018? 9 (2): 53–54.
11. Mayo Clinic. Menopause. Accessed 5 May 2023.
12. NIH. What are the treatments for other symptoms of menopause? Accessed 5 May 2023.
13. Hasper I et al. Long-term efficacy and safety of ERr 731 specific extract of Rheum rhaponticum in perimenopausal women with menopausal symptoms. Menopause. 2009? 16 (1): 117-131.
14. Mayo Clinic. Menopause fitness tips: why fitness matters. Accessed 5 May 2023.
15. Mayo Clinic. Menopause: Diagnosis. Accessed 5 May 2023.
16. Cleveland Clinic. Menopause Diet: What to Eat to Help Manage Symptoms. Accessed 5 May 2023.