How does menopausal hormone therapy reduce hot flashes and night sweats?

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) reduces hot flashes and night sweats by restoring circulating estrogen levels to physiologically active concentrations.1

During menopause, the decline in estrogen causes the hypothalamus—the region of the brain that functions as the body’s thermostat—to become hypersensitive to minor fluctuations in temperature. This instability leads to the sudden activation of the autonomic nervous system, which triggers the dilation of blood vessels and subsequent sweating characteristic of vasomotor symptoms.123

By restoring estrogen levels, MHT stabilizes the thermoregulatory centers within the hypothalamus, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of these symptoms. MHT is generally indicated for the management of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms that significantly impact an individual's quality of life.1