WASHINGTON, Dec 22, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) --
Scientists have found clues that age-related changes impacting how the brain
responds to estrogen could be linked to menopausal symptoms.
Researchers measured the amount of the female sex hormone produced by the
ovaries and the amount of luteinizing hormone or LH produced by the pituitary, a
gland at the base of the brain.
Normally LH would surge in response to estrogen surges during a women's
monthly cycle. Researchers studying the hormones and menopause symptoms
experienced by some 3,300 menopausal women ages 42-52 discovered that those
whose LH levels did not surge, but were generally higher throughout their cycle,
had significantly more hot flashes and night sweats than women in the other two
groups.
The findings are reported in the December 22/29, 2004, Journal of the
American Medical Association.
Copyright 2004 by United Press International.
