The overall objective of this study is to examine the physiological responses that occur during a hot flush in postmenopausal women. The following specific aims will be executed to reach the overall objective of this study. Aim 1: To determine if hot flushes can be reliably induced with a temperature-controlled, water- circulating (TCWC) heating pad. Based on previous research, the investigators hypothesize that hot flushes will be inducible with the TCWC in symptomatic women, but not in asymptomatic women. Aim 2: To determine if heat-induced hot flushes in symptomatic women will cause reproducible cardiovascular and respiratory responses. The investigators hypothesize that heat-induced hot flushes produce similar and reproducible cardiovascular and respiratory responses to spontaneous hot flushes. Aim 3: To determine if body fat percentage influences hot flush severity or frequency during spontaneous or induced hot flushes. The investigators hypothesize that women with higher body fat have reduced hot flash severity and frequency.
Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: Female
Minimum Age: 40
Maximum Age: 70
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:
• Postmenopausal (may have or may not have hot flushes)
• Have not started hormone therapy and/or will discontinue hormone therapy for the duration of the study
Locations
United States
Minnesota
University of Minnesota
RECRUITING
Minneapolis
Contact Information
Primary
Manda Keller-Ross, PhD, DPT, PT
kell0529@umn.edu
(612) 625-3175
Backup
William Stokes
stoke123@umn.edu
(443) 801-8778
Time Frame
Start Date:2022-03-01
Estimated Completion Date:2026-05-26
Participants
Target number of participants:60
Treatments
Participants With Hot Flushes (at least 3 per day)
At Visit 1, participants will complete informed consent, questionnaires regarding medical history, physical activity levels, stress and anxiety, menopause symptoms and a hot flush behavior scale. Visit one will be completed remotely using a HIPAA-compliant online platform or over the phone.~At Visit 2, baseline measurements will be recorded for two hours and spontaneous hot flushes will be detected. Participants will then have a temperature-controlled, water-circulating heating pad at a consistent temperature of 107˚F placed on their torso for 30 min, followed by five min of recovery. This will be followed by a blood draw to measure sex hormones. At either Visit 2 or a separate visit, participants will have a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan for a body composition assessment. For participants taking prescribed MHT, a standard protocol for enrollment and they may complete up to six study visits.
Participants Without Hot Flushes
At Visit 1, participants will complete informed consent, questionnaires regarding medical history, physical activity levels, stress and anxiety, menopause symptoms and a hot flush behavior scale. Visit one will be completed remotely using a HIPAA-compliant online platform or over the phone.~At Visit 2, baseline measurements will be recorded for two hours and spontaneous hot flushes will be detected. Participants will then have a temperature-controlled, water-circulating heating pad at a consistent temperature of 107˚F placed on their torso for 30 min, followed by five min of recovery. This will be followed by a blood draw to measure sex hormones. At either Visit 2 or a separate visit, participants will have a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan for a body composition assessment. For participants taking prescribed MHT, a standard protocol for enrollment and they may complete up to six study visits.