Our understanding of VMS is heating up
It’s not all about estrogen
Declining estrogen isn’t the only cause of Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS), also known as hot flashes and night sweats—we now know that VMS results from altered activity of the kisspeptin/
Inside the source of a hot flash
Inside the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus, specific neurons, known as KNDy neurons, contribute to the regulation of the body’s temperature.2
Inside the source of a hot flash
KNDy neurons are inhibited by estrogen and stimulated by the neuropeptide neurokinin B (NKB) in a delicate balance.3,4
Inside the source of a hot flash
Through the menopausal transition, declining estrogen disrupts the balance with NKB. Unopposed, NKB signaling increases KNDy neuronal activity—leading to hypertrophy of the KNDy neuron and altered activity on the thermoregulatory center.2,4,5
Inside the source of a hot flash
As a result, the thermoregulatory center triggers heat dissipation effectors that are experienced as hot flashes and night sweats, or VMS.2,5




Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Watch how it works
![VMS IN HER WORDS - It throws everything off kilter; [there are] no rules on when or why they [hot flashes] happen, they just happen.](/assets/images/global/in-her-words/latina.png)
Uncover the burden of VMS
Learn more