What symptoms define vasomotor symptoms (VMS)?

• A. Vaginal dryness
• B. Hot flashes and night sweats
• C. Memory loss
• D. Urinary incontinence

Answer: (B)

Vasomotor symptoms are the hot flashes and night sweats that occur when the body's thermoregulatory system becomes unstable after estrogen declines in menopause. A drop in estrogen lowers the set point for body temperature, so small changes are interpreted as too warm, triggering sudden warmth, skin flushing, and sweating (and, if the episode happens at night, night sweats). This combination of heat sensation with sweating is what defines vasomotor symptoms. Vaginal dryness, memory changes, and urinary incontinence are not vasomotor phenomena; they relate to other menopausal or aging changes such as genitourinary atrophy, cognitive perceptions, or pelvic floor/bladder issues, respectively.