Vasomotor Symptoms and Other Signs of Estrogen Deficiency

In two studies, investigators assessed possible links between vasomotor symptoms and other signs of estrogen deficiency in menopausal women.

Using a population-based sample, Dutch investigators evaluated 5600 women (age range, 46–57; no evidence of bone disease) for hot flashes — reported by 39% — and for bone-mineral density. Average BMD was inversely proportional to frequency of flushing. After multivariate adjustments, women with the most-frequent symptoms had mean BMD of the lumbar spine that was 0.022 g/cm² lower than that of asymptomatic women.

In a study of herbal extracts that involved 217 U.S. women (average age, 54), one third had baseline scores on a validated self-report instrument that indicated at least moderate insomnia. Multiv…