Hot flashes during pregnancy: a comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a preliminary study assessing the association of hot flashes with pregnancy.


METHODS
268 pregnant and non-pregnant women matched on age and race completed a written questionnaire on sociodemographic and clinical information and the experiences of hot flashes. Binary logistic regressions were used to determine predictors of hot flashes.


RESULTS
While controlling for significant bivariate associations, pregnant women were more likely to report hot flashes than non-pregnant women (odds ratio 5.22; confidence interval 2.75-9.89; p<0.001). Hot flashes during pregnancy typically first occurred before the third trimester and were experienced on a weekly basis. Most pregnant women reported that their hot flashes were not severe or bothersome.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that hot flashes are common during pregnancy. Studies of hot flashes during pregnancy may further elucidate the causal mechanisms of hot flashes in other populations.
Hanisch
Laura J
LJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States. hanisch@mail.med.upenn.edu
Bennett
Ian M
IM
Freeman
Ellen W
EW
Coyne
James C
JC
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology