Brainstorms January 15, 2009

Vasomotor Symptoms and Depression in Women, Part 1. Role of Vasomotor Symptoms in Signaling the Onset or Relapse of a Major Depressive Episode

Stephen M. Stahl

J Clin Psychiatry 2009;70(1):11-12

Article Abstract

Perimenopause can be a time of
chaotic change for a woman’s
body and mind. Some changes are
easily observed: starting around age 47,
a woman’s menstrual period changes in
length, then whole cycles are skipped.
Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot
flashes (also called hot flushes) plus
night sweats, often with sleep disturbances,
mark the transitional years of
late perimenopause into early postmenopause.