Relationship between Menopausal Sweating and Body Mass Index

Abstract

We sought to examine the relationship between BMI, sweat rate (SR) and sweat volume (SV) in pre-, peri-and postmenopausal women during a moderate exercise. Based on their ages and menstrual cycle history, thirty healthy women were divided into three groups: pre-(22.5 ± 0.8 yrs, n = 10), peri-(46.5 ± 1.1 yrs, n = 10) and post-(52.2 ± 0.9 yrs, n = 10). Participants underwent a 15minute walk on a treadmill at a constant speed of 4.2 km/h at 27˚C. Sweat was collected and measured with a suction apparatus around a confined area of 120 cm 2 outlined on the skin of the face and neck of the participants during the exercise. SR and BMI were determined using the formulae: volume of sweat collected exercise time and WT kg HT m 2 , , , respectively. The older women had a significantly higher BMI: pre-, peri-and post-(23.7 ± 1.3 kg/m 2 vs 28.0 ± 1.2 kg/m 2 vs 28.4 ± 0.7) (p < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference in SV (1.3 ± 0.4 ml vs 1.7 ± 0.2 ml vs 0.9 ± 0.1 ml) between the groups, the peri-women showed a significantly higher SR (0.07 ± 0.02 ml/min vs 0.12 ± 0.01 ml/min vs 0.06 ± 0.01 ml/min) (p < 0.05). A significant and positive correlation existed between BMI and SR (p < 0.05); SV (p < 0.01). Our findings support the conclusions that increased menopausal sweating is associated with weight gain/increased BMI especially during the perimenopausal transition period.

Prevalence of menopausal hot flashes in Lebanon: A cross-sectional study

“…On the other hand, other studies conducted in the United States (16) and the Netherlands (17) demonstrated a similar association but in perimenopause women only. Other studies have either reported no association between BMI and VMS (18) or have claimed a protective role of BMI (19), supporting the theory that excess adipose tissue is a source of aromatase that converts androstenedione to estrogens (20). We attribute our observed relationship to the thermoregulatory model of hot flashes, which states that in the presence of a narrow hypothalamic thermoneutral zone, the excess adipose tissue acts as a potent insulators preventing any heat dissipation, thereby elevating the core body temperature and precipitating hot flashes (21).…”

Estradiol Serum Levels in Menopausal Women With and Without Vasomotor Syndrome in Medan

“…This association was remained significant after controlled of other risk factors. However, Amabebe showed positive correlation between the high BMI and severity of syndrome [31].…”