Objective: To conduct a preliminary study assessing the association of hot flashes with pregnancy.
Study design: 268 pregnant and non-pregnant women matched on age and race completed a written questionnaire on sociodemographic and clinical information and the experiences of hot flashes. Binary logistic regressions were used to determine predictors of hot flashes.
Results: While controlling for significant bivariate associations, pregnant women were more likely to report hot flashes than non-pregnant women (odds ratio 5.22; confidence interval 2.75-9.89; p<0.001). Hot flashes during pregnancy typically first occurred before the third trimester and were experienced on a weekly basis. Most pregnant women reported that their hot flashes were not severe or bothersome.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that hot flashes are common during pregnancy. Studies of hot flashes during pregnancy may further elucidate the causal mechanisms of hot flashes in other populations.
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