This site is for US healthcare professionals only.
This site is for US healthcare professionals only.
Vasomotor symptoms
(VMS) due to menopause
Vasomotor symptoms
(VMS) due to menopause
Explore our video library to gain a better understanding of the biology behind vasomotor symptoms due to menopause. Learn about the neuronal pathways behind VMS from experts in the field of neuroendocrinology.
What is a KNDy neuron?
Victor Navarro, PhD, explains how KNDy neurons, and the neuropeptides they secrete (Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B and Dynorphin) function as a GnRH pulse generator in the Hypothalamic Pituitary Ovarian (HPO) Axis.
How are KNDy neurons involved in menopause?
In this video, Victor Navarro, PhD, discussed how collaborative research efforts help to elucidate the role of KNDy neurons in mediating VMS due to menopause.
VMS severity can be defined as followsa,b:
MILD
Sensation of heat
without sweating
MODERATE
Sensation of heat
with sweating
SEVERE
Sensation of heat
with sweating
causing cessation of
activity
How she might describe it in her own words:
“I had a feeling of
warmth spread over
my body”
“I got so hot I started
to sweat”
“The feeling of heat and
sweat was so intense I
had to stop what I was
doing to try and cool
off”
aGuidance for industry: estrogen and estrogen/progestin drug products to treat vasomotor symptoms and vulvar and vaginal atrophy symptoms - recommendations for clinical evaluation. Rockville, MD: Food and Drug Administration; 2003. Available at https://www.fda.gov/media/71359/download.
bIndividual patient perception of VMS severity is subjective.
Thermography of a hot flash
This video shows infrared images of a woman experiencing a hot flash. It illustrates how body temperature rises and then gradually declines as the hot flash recedes.
Physiologic changes during VMS
Kronenberg F. J Nutr. 2010;140(7):1380S-5S. doi:10.3945/jn.109.120840.
Neuroendocrine Changes of Menopause
Watch this video to learn more about how the hypothalamus and KNDy (Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B, Dynorphin) neurons play a role in symptoms of menopause.
Learn more about the neuroendocrine changes of menopause that are thought to be responsible for VMS.
VMS, commonly known as hot flashes, are one of the more common symptoms of menopause and can be experienced both during the day and/or at night. VMS severity can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. These symptoms may affect patients’ quality of life, sleep, and daily functioning. Thoughtful counseling and shared decision-making can help enable HCPs to individualize care and partner with patients in meaningful ways.
Access the video and PDF below to explore the physiology of VMS and insights on counseling and shared decision-making to enhance patient-centered care.
VMS: Physiology and Counseling: Jill Liss, MD
Dr. Liss discusses VMS counseling approaches to enhance patient-centered care.
Thurston RC, Joffe H. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2011;38(3):489-501.
Guidance for Industry: Estrogen and Estrogen/Progestin Drug Products to Treat Vasomotor Symptoms and Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy Symptoms—Recommendations for Clinical Evaluation. US Food and Drug Administration; 2003. https://www.fda.gov/media/71359/download.
ACOG committee opinion: informed consent and shared decision making in obstetrics and gynecology. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2021. https://www.acog.org/-/media/project/a cog/acogorg/clinical/files/committeeopinion/articles/2021/02/informed-consent-and-shared-decision-making-in-obstetrics-and-gynecology.pdf [Accessed Apr 2026].
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