Menopausal hot flushes and plasma beta-endorphins.

Plasma beta-endorphin levels were measured in five women in physiologic menopause suffering from frequent episodes of hot flushes, recorded objectively by the measurement of finger temperature. Significantly lower levels of plasma beta-endorphin levels were found at the onset of the hot flushes than five to 20 minutes before (P less than .001). After the flush there was a significant rise of plasma beta-endorphin levels at five, ten, and 15 minutes (P less than .002).