[The beta-endorphin level in climacteric women].

UNLABELLED

Hot flushes are not caused by a hypergonadotrophinemia. Peaks of gonadotrophin in the serum do not coincide with the cutaneously measured hot flushes. There is an occurrence of hot flushes in hypophysectomized women as well. GnRH and other neurotransmitters (beta-endorphin?) effect the thermoregulation. -

HYPOTHESIS

During the climacteric period changes of neurotransmitters, a decrease of catecholestrogens, a decrease of alpha-2-adrenoceptor activity and the ceasing of the ovarian steroid production lead to changes of the endogenous opiate activity and thus to disturbances of the thermoregulation resulting in the occurrence of hot flushes. Low beta-endorphin levels in the peripheral plasma, which increase again after a treatment with estrogens, are found during the climacteric period. On the other hand women with severe hot flushes as an expression of a stress event show enormously increased beta-endorphin values, which normalize again after a hormone substitution therapy, effected by still unknown neuroendocrinological feedback mechanisms.