M C Politi

Dr M C Politi, Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA; mary_politi@brown.edu

QUESTION

What is the natural progression of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) during the transition to menopause?

REVIEW SCOPE

Included studies reported the prevalence of VMS (hot flushes, hot flashes, night sweats, and cold sweats) during and after the transition to menopause. Studies that reported menopausal symptoms using rating scales, those based only in specific clinics, and randomised trials of menopausal treatments were excluded. Outcomes were prevalence of self-reported VMS over time in years up to and from final menstrual period (FMP) and by menopausal stage (Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop criteria).

REVIEW METHODS

MEDLINE, clinical manuals, textbooks, and reference lists were searched for longitudinal …