Which hormone primarily influences the increase of VMS symptoms during menopause?

The hormone that primarily influences the increase of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) during menopause is estrogen. During the menopausal transition, the levels of estrogen fluctuate and eventually decline, leading to various symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature and modulating the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center. Therefore, a decrease in estrogen levels is closely associated with the onset and severity of VMS symptoms experienced by many women during menopause.

While other hormones, such as testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone, are also involved in the hormonal changes that occur during menopause, estrogen is particularly significant in the context of vasomotor symptoms. Testosterone is primarily associated with libido and muscle mass rather than VMS. Estradiol is a form of estrogen, but typically, when referring to changes in hormone levels during menopause, it is the general decline in estrogen that is emphasized. Progesterone levels decrease during menopause as well, but it does not have the same direct impact on VMS as estrogen does.