Reviewing the evidence on vasomotor symptoms: the role of traditional and non-traditional factors

Abstract

This narrative review aims to synthesize evidence on factors that may influence the severity, occurrence, and incidence of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) that encompass hot flashes and/or night sweats. A comprehensive literature search was conducted electronically using Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar to retrieve all English language studies on predictors of VMS from 2000 to 2018. Studies evaluating treatment options for VMS, studies of women with comorbidities such as breast cancer or osteoporosis, studies on VMS outcomes, and studies on quality of life among women with VMS were excluded. After screening, 88 articles were reviewed. Findings showed that different factors such as biological, demographic, behavioral, social, and non-traditional were associated with VMS. The most consistent risk factors of VMS were: being in later menopausal stages, smoking, lower socioeconomic status, higher follicle stimulating hormone levels, ethnicity, and higher body mass index. Most studies were either cross-sectional or observational in design, and were conducted in western countries. A more nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to VMS can assist clinicians in screening women for optimal VMS counseling and treatment. This review found that further large-scale studies set in developing countries that examine VMS factors are warranted.

Keywords: Menopause; factors; review; vasomotor symptoms.