Hot flashes and night sweats are among the most familiar and disruptive symptoms of menopause, affecting about 80% of women — sometimes for years. Contrary to the outdated perception of a “passing discomfort,” it is now clear that this is a deep neuro-physiological disorder originating in the brain’s heat-regulation center. A drop in estrogen creates an imbalance with neurokinin, and the hypothalamus reacts strongly to tiny temperature changes. The result: Blood-vessel dilation, increased pulse, and a sudden hot flash — sometimes dozens of times a day.
Alongside the physical phenomenon, hot flashes create significant emotional and mental strain. Women describe moments of embarrassment and sudden heat surges in the middle of a professional meeting, lecture, or social event. Many symptoms continue into the night, causing repeated awakenings, reduced sleep efficiency, and a cumulative sense of fatigue that carries into the workday. Studies even show a link between severe hot flashes and declines in memory and concentration, more sick days, and reduced productivity.
This complexity is heightened because menopause typically arrives at a stage when women are in the peak of their careers. They are expected to function, manage, lead, and stay sharp — even when coping with short nights and physiological fluctuations beyond their control.
In recent decades, the main treatment has been hormone-based. It is very effective — but not suitable for every woman. Women with risk factors, complex medical histories, or a personal preference to avoid hormones were left with a limited range of solutions that sometimes fell short. The search for an effective, non-hormonal treatment led to the development of VEOZA, the first drug of its kind approved by the FDA that directly targets the neural mechanism responsible for hot flashes.
A new study: real-world, everyday-life data
At the recent International Menopause Society (TMS) conference in Orlando, Florida, findings from the Phase 4 OPTION-VMS study were presented. The study included more than 600 women in menopause and beyond who experienced moderate to severe hot flashes. Some were treated with VEOZA, while others received SSRI/SNRI medications or currently available non-hormonal supplements.
Participants were monitored for 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and researchers examined:
• The severity of symptoms and their disruption to daily life (MENQOL)
• Sleep quality and continuity
• Functioning at work and in daily tasks
One of the important aspects of the study is that it was conducted in the real world, not only under laboratory conditions. Meaning: Women who are on the move, under the pressure of career and family, with complex daily routines — exactly as life looks outside the clinic.
The findings: Better sleep, fewer hot flashes, and improved functioning
The data stood out particularly in the VEOZA group:
• Significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of hot flashes
• Fewer night sweats
• More continuous and efficient sleep — fewer awakenings, quicker falling asleep
• Improved concentration and productivity at work
• Fewer disruptions to daily routines
The rate of side effects was low, and no new safety signals were identified.
Dr. Adit Dubi Sobol, Chair of the Community Urology Forum in Israel, concludes: “The data reinforce what we are seeing in clinics: Women suffering from fatigue, stress, and functional difficulty due to hot flashes are finally getting a solution that gives them back control. This is an effective, safe treatment that allows many women to avoid hormones without compromising quality of life.”