Ever Heard of Vasomotor Symptoms Due To Menopause? Here's The Science Behind These Disruptive Symptoms

Casually, we may describe hot flashes as temperature tantrums or a short vacation to the tropics. Scientifically, hot flashes and night sweats are known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and they can occur during menopause. They are defined by sudden and intense sensations of heat in the upper body, sometimes accompanied by sweating, reddening of the skin, chills, and a rapid heartbeat.

Nearly half of women may experience moderate to severe VMS due to menopause. Vasomotor symptoms are a legitimate medical condition that can impact many aspects of someone's life, from sleep to work to personal relationships.

If you've heard anything about the science behind hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause, you might think about estrogen decline. With age, the ovaries naturally produce less estrogen (and progesterone). But there's more to the story than declining estrogen.

The hypothalamus is the part of your brain that regulates temperature, acting as the body's internal thermostat. Within your hypothalamus are KNDy neurons (pronounced like candy), which play an important role in temperature control. These neurons are regulated by a balance between estrogen and a brain chemical known as neurokinin B (NKB). The body relies on this balance to keep its internal thermostat in check.

Many women are reticent to seek help for their menopausal symptoms, but it doesn't have to be like that. Hot flashes and night sweats are the most commonly reported symptoms during the menopause transition—and there are a number of ways that women may be able to reduce the severity and frequency of VMS due to menopause. Talk with your doctor to learn more.

VEOZAH® (fezolinetant) is a hormone-free treatment option for moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms—AKA hot flashes and night sweats—due to menopause. It works in your hypothalamus—the area of your brain that controls body temperature. 

Remember NKB? It's a chemical that binds to a receptor in your brain, and during menopause it triggers hot flashes and night sweats. VEOZAH is the first and only treatment designed to specifically block NKB binding.

VEOZAH is proven to reduce the number and severity of hot flashes day and night based on clinical studies measuring efficacy at 4 and 12 weeks. And, for some women, it can start working in as early as one week; individual results may vary, and patients should speak with their health care provider about what this may mean for them. VEOZAH is one oral tablet a day, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use VEOZAH if you have cirrhosis, severe kidney problems or kidney failure, or if you are taking certain medicines called CYP1A2 inhibitors. Please see additional important safety information below. 

Whether you've heard about hot flashes and night sweats for years, or you've been on the sidelines fanning the menopausal women in your life— it's challenging to prepare yourself for what's to come; particularly, if you're the one experiencing the heat waves sweeping over you mid-conversation or the drenched pajamas interrupting your sweet dreams. 

Tell your health care provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. VEOZAH may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how VEOZAH works.

What are the possible side effects of VEOZAH?

These are not all the possible side effects of VEOZAH. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

Call your health care provider for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit fda.gov/medwatch1 or call 1-800-FDA-1088.