Menopausal women who suffer from severe hot flashes or night sweats are up to three times more likely to develop some form of liver disease, scientists say.
Experts have found that those who experience uncomfortable side effects, also known as vasomotor symptoms, have triple the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compared to those with mild symptoms.
NAFLD, a condition in which fat builds up in the liver, has the potential to cause serious damage and has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.
Growing evidence also suggests that patients with NAFLD have a substantial risk of coronary heart disease and irregular heartbeats.
Menopausal women who suffer from severe hot flashes or night sweats are up to three times more likely to develop a form of liver disease, scientists say (file photo)
Experts have found that those who experience uncomfortable side effects have three times the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease compared to those with mild symptoms (file photo).
The study’s lead author, Dr Eleni Armeni, from the Kapodistrian University of Athens, said: “This research… contributes to understanding the link between vasomotor symptoms and cardiometabolic risk factors.”
“It is crucial for the public because it emphasizes how hot flashes and night sweats can indicate an increased risk of heart and metabolic problems.”
Her team analyzed 106 menopausal and postmenopausal women. They found that those with moderate to severe hot flashes or night sweats had a three-fold increased risk of developing NAFLD compared to those with mild symptoms.
This was even after taking into account whether the women were using hormone replacement therapy (HRT), how old they were or how much they exercised.
“Women who experience these symptoms should consult a healthcare professional to address this and evaluate their cardiovascular health,” Dr. Armeni added.
NAFLD, a condition in which fat builds up in the liver, has the potential to cause serious damage and has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes and high blood pressure (file photo)
Growing evidence also suggests that patients with NAFLD are at substantial risk of coronary heart disease and irregular heartbeats (file photo)
The researchers hope their findings will encourage health professionals to offer care to menopausal women beyond discussions focused solely on HRT.
In December, a drug that combats hot flashes was approved in the United Kingdom. Fezolinetant, sold under the brand name Veoza, is a daily pill that regulates a brain receptor that releases hormones that control body temperature.
It has not yet been recommended for use in the NHS.
