Dr. Karina Barszczewska: Many women mistake hot flashes for heart attacks

What does a woman who experiences hot flashes have to face? To what extent are these symptoms serious?

First, we must realize that as many as 80% of women around the world experience or may experience hot flashes, which are symptoms associated with a feeling of heat spreading across the face, neck and chest. Many women do not know what is really happening to them. They often think they are pre-infarction or heart attack symptoms. They are alarmed by this condition. The good news is that we have medicines and can treat hot flashes. I realize that many women are concerned about hormonal treatment, so it is worth noting that we also have non-hormonal medications. These are neurokinin 3 inhibitors, which act on the center in the hypothalamus responsible for temperature regulation. In perimenopause and menopause, there is a decrease in estrogen and overexpression of substances such as kisspeptin, endorphins and neurokinins. This results in a narrowing of the so-called thermoneutral zone. As a result, any drop or rise in temperature can trigger feelings of heat, cold sweats and awakenings at night. This in turn leads to a dysregulation of daytime functioning - we are distracted, tired, which creates a vicious cycle as it intensifies the occurrence of hot flashes during the day.

Are hot flashes the most predominant symptoms of menopause and pre-menopause?

Certainly, these are the most common symptoms, the so-called vasomotor (vasomotor) symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats. However, we must realize that women face many other problems during this period. Many of us hear about hot flashes and night sweats, but don't fully understand what these mean. There are also rarer symptoms that many women don't know about, such as tinnitus, a crawling sensation, vaginal dryness, vulvar dryness or pain at initial penetration. These are symptoms associated with so-called vaginal atrophy. I'm glad that events such as the Women's Health Congress are held, because they increase women's awareness and empowerment. It is also very important to dispel the myth that hormones cause breast cancer - the fear of hormone therapy is widespread, but needs a solid explanation. Women are living longer and longer and can realize many valuable things during this period. That's why awareness and restoring a sense of influence over one's own health is so important.