A woman’s insulin levels in midlife are linked to the timing and duration of menopausal hot flashes, night sweats and cold sweats, according to new research from the University of Victoria (UVic).  

The study found that having higher insulin levels at age 47 predicted younger onsets of hot flashes and night sweats,” says Faria Athar, lead author of the study, which is published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.  

“Higher insulin at age 47 was also associated with longer durations of hot flashes and cold sweats, and a rise in testosterone levels across the menopausal transition.  

These findings help us to fill some of the gaps in our understanding of menopause symptoms and why their severity varies for different women.” 
—Faria Athar, UVic PhD graduate