Hot flashes are one of the main adverse effects of menopause. Especially since they are caused by just about anything: an emotion, drinking alcohol, physical exercise of course, but also the ambient temperature or even… during sleep! To combat this, hormonal treatments have been put in place. But they are not without risks, studies have shown in particular that they are risk factors for breast cancer or strokes. But a new, hormone-free treatment optioncould be a game-changer, as National Geographic explains.
These hot flashes are reported by about 80% of postmenopausal women. They last between 30 seconds and 5 minutes, occur several times a day (sometimes very many times) and are spread over an average of 4 years. The body does not literally “heat up”, the temperature remains the same, but this does not mean that they are without risk to health, as it is believed that they may be involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases or disorders. Until now, we did not know exactly how to explain what caused this feeling.
Block the proteins emitted by the neurons involved
Recently, researchers have identified a group of neurons located in the hypothalamus which could be at the origin. The latter “swell”, which leads to the puff. We already knew that this area of the brain was involved, and we understood that estrogen counteracts this effect, because these neurons have receptors for this hormone. Since these hormones are lacking in postmenopausal women, they were added via medication.
This discovery allowed them to work on a drug that would block the effect of these neurons, which regulate body temperature, and not compensate for their reaction. It would particularly attack proteins emitted by these neurons, a group called KNDy. A study, first carried out on mice, then on women, showed that the treatment reduced puffing by 45%.
Two molecules are currently being tested in the United States, one with reasonable side effects. Scientists are hopeful that they will soon be able to treat menopause without using hormones.
Source: National Geographic
