Objective Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. One candidate mechanism may involve alterations in physiological responses to stress. The current study therefore examined the relationship between self-reported VMS bother and cardiovascular, hemodynamic, neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses to an acute psychosocial stress protocol. Methods One hundred and eighty-six women in the menopause transition or early postmenopause (age 45-60) provided the data for this report. Subjective hot flash and night sweat bother was assessed using the Greene Climacteric Scale. Women also underwent a stressor battery involving a speech and a mental arithmetic task while cardiovascular, hemodynamic, neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses were assessed. Repeated measures regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between self-reported VMS and physiologic responses to the stressor. Results In multivariate analyses adjusting for potential confounders, self-reported hot flash bother was associated with lower overall cardiac index and stroke volume index and higher overall vascular resistance index and levels of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6. Hot flash bother also tended to be associated with higher overall cortisol levels and higher baseline levels of plasma norepinephrine. Night sweat bother, on the other hand, was associated with higher overall cortisol levels and tended to be associated with higher interleukin-6. Conclusion Self-reported VMS bother is associated with an unfavorable hemodynamic and neuroendocrine profile characterized by increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and central sympathetic activation, inflammation and vasoconstriction. Further research investigating this profile in relation to VMS, as well as the potential health implications of this association, are warranted.

The link between maternal violence exposure and adverse obstetric outcomes is well-documented, but less is understood about the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure and perinatal post-traumatic stress symptoms(PTSS) and depression in women around the world. A systematic review was conducted to synthesize empirical literature on the associations between IPV (e.g., before pregnancy, during pregnancy, postpartum) and post-traumatic stress and depression symptoms in the perinatal period. This review acknowledged the effects of IPV exposure timing, timing of assessment, and IPV subtypes. Forty-seven longitudinal studies met inclusion criteria and were reviewed to determine the effects of IPV exposure on perinatal mental health. Findings suggested a strong relationship between IPV exposure and perinatal mental health. Results were more consistent between perinatal mental health and IPV sustained close to or during the perinatal period than for lifetime IPV exposure. In general, physical, sexual, and psychological IPV were independently associated with perinatal depression and PTSS. Findings underscore the importance of theoretically driven research and the development of treatment protocols for women worldwide.

These findings highlight the importance of addressing biopsychosocial risk factors, particularly adversity and perinatal health, in efforts to promote women's breastfeeding success. Future research should evaluate mechanisms that may explain the link between intimate partner violence and breastfeeding cessation.

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Both rumination and emotion-related impulsivity may be important treatment targets in cognitive behavioral interventions aimed at reducing symptom severity and cyclicity in MRMDs.