Genes hold key to end misery of hot flushes

THERE could soon be a treatment for hot flushes for women who do not want HRT, after scientists found they could be triggered by genes.

About three-quarters of menopausal women suffer night sweats and hot flushes, which can keep them awake through the night.

For those unwilling to take HRT, there are few proven treatments beyond suggestions that Vitamin E and acupuncture could help.

However, scientists at the University of California have cleared the way for a new treatment after detecting 14 gene variants linked to hot flushes.

The discovery suggests if the genes could be switched off, hot flushes could be stopped.

Scientists examined data from 17,69 post-menopausal women aged 0 to 79 who provided information on hot flushes along with

‘Receptor in the brain’

samples of their DNA. They examined 11 million gene variants – differences in genes which can trigger health conditions.

Among these variants were 14 associated with hot flushes. Each is linked to a receptor in the brain which regulates oestrogen release, with fluctuating oestrogen levels believed to be connected to hot flushes.

The study, published in the journal Menopause, offers the possibility of new treatments for hot flushes. Currently the best treatment is HRT, which replaces oestrogen lost during the menopause, but some are reluctant to take it following disputed research linking it to breast cancer.

Dr Carolyn Crandall, professor of medicine at UCLA, said: ‘If we can better identify what genetic variants are associated with hot flushes, this could lead to novel treatments to relieve them.’