CLIMACTERIC FLUSHING: CLINICAL AND ENDOCRINE RESPONSE TO INFUSION OF NALOXONE

Abstract

Six postmenopausal women with frequent attacks of flushing were studied by measuring plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), FSH, prolactin [PRL] and noradrenaline [norepinephrine] concentrations at regular and frequent intervals and at the time of each of 82 flushes. The hormone measurements were made on a control day and on the 2nd day during infusion of either naloxone (22 .mu.g/min) or saline. The perception of a flush was associated with a significant increase of plasma LH concentrations. There were no significant changes in plasma FSH, PRL or noradrenaline concentrations. Naloxone infusion resulted in a highly significant reduction in the frequency of flushes and in the number of LH pulses. Flushing and its neuro-endocrine correlates are related to activation of endogenous opiate receptors. Naloxone may provide the basis for a nonsteroidal treatment of climacteric flushing attacks.