Severe hot flashes are associated with chronic insomnia Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Menopausal Hot Flashes
Menopausal Hot Flashes
Menopausal hot flashes are one of the most common and disruptive symptoms that women experience during the transition to menopause. Characterized by sudden sensations of heat, sweating, and flushing, hot flashes can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life, causing sleep disturbances, mood swings, and even long-term health consequences. Understanding the complex mechanisms behind hot flashes, as well as the role of microbiome-targeted therapies, offers new avenues for improving menopausal health.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
The study investigated the relationship between hot flashes and chronic insomnia in midlife women. Researchers assessed the prevalence of hot flashes and the severity of insomnia in a population of women across different menopausal stages. The study focused on the association between severe hot flashes and the presence of chronic insomnia symptoms, including difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, and experiencing nonrestorative sleep. Additionally, it explored other factors such as chronic pain and health status that could influence the prevalence of insomnia among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Who was studied?
The study included 982 women aged 35 to 65 years, representing a population in California, categorized into three menopausal groups: premenopause (57.2%), perimenopause (22.3%), and postmenopause (20.5%). The participants were asked about their hot flash experiences and insomnia symptoms, with chronic insomnia defined by persistent sleep disturbances for at least six months. The study also considered various demographic factors such as age, marital status, occupation, race/ethnicity, and health status, as well as the severity of hot flashes, to explore their relationship to insomnia.
Most important findings
The study found a significant association between the severity of hot flashes and the prevalence of chronic insomnia. Among women experiencing severe hot flashes, over 80% reported symptoms of chronic insomnia, including difficulty initiating sleep and nonrestorative sleep. Additionally, insomnia symptoms were more common in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, with a substantial increase in insomnia as the severity of hot flashes increased. Other factors like chronic pain, poor health, and sleep apnea also contributed to the likelihood of chronic insomnia, but severe hot flashes remained a strong predictor.
Key implications
The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to systematically assess hot flash severity in women with insomnia, as addressing hot flashes could improve sleep quality. Given the high prevalence of both hot flashes and insomnia in midlife women, the findings suggest that targeting hot flashes in treatment plans could help reduce the negative impacts of chronic insomnia, improving overall health and well-being for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Menopausal Hot Flashes
Menopausal hot flashes are one of the most common and disruptive symptoms that women experience during the transition to menopause. Characterized by sudden sensations of heat, sweating, and flushing, hot flashes can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life, causing sleep disturbances, mood swings, and even long-term health consequences. Understanding the complex mechanisms behind hot flashes, as well as the role of microbiome-targeted therapies, offers new avenues for improving menopausal health.
Menopause
Menopause impacts many aspects of health, including the gut microbiome, weight management, and hormone balance. Diet, probiotics, intermittent fasting, and HRT offer effective management strategies.