Maturitas · Apr 24, 2026

Prevalence of vasomotor symptoms and the associated risk factors: the "Mi Menopausia" app study

By Coronado PJ, Mendoza N, González SP et al.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and their associated sociodemographic, lifestyle, and medical risk factors, as well as their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in peri- and postmenopausal Spanish women using the Mi Menopausia app. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional convenience sample of 13,956 women registered with the Mi Menopausia app (June 2021-November 2025). A total of 11,378 women were included in the final analysis after exclusions for incorrect or incomplete data, or cancer history. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Moderate to severe VMS (MS-VMS), defined as ≥7 hot flashes/day with sweating or intensity ≥3/5. RESULTS: Of the total of 11,378 women in the final sample, 48.4% were peri- and 51.6% postmenopausal. The prevalence of VMS was 77.4% and MS-VMS 63.9%. MS-VMS were independently associated with obesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.45), smoking (OR 1.26; 95%CI 1.12-1.42), alcohol intake (OR 1.20; 95%CI 1.06-1.34), and a history of bilateral oophorectomy (OR 1.38; 95%CI 1.03-1.84). University education (OR 0.71; 95%CI 0.65-0.77), being employed (OR 0.85; 95%CI 0.76-0.96) and having sexual intercourse (OR 0.87; 95%CI 0.78-0.97) were independently associated with lower odds of MS-VMS. The menopausal symptoms linked to MS-VMS were irritability (OR 1.65; 95%CI 1.12-2.41), insomnia (OR 2.23; 95%CI 1.52-3.27), feeling older (OR 1.93; 95%CI 1.32-2.83) and vaginal dryness (OR 10.66; 95%CI 2.71-41.87). Bone fractures (OR 1.16; 95%CI 1.02-1.33), depression/anxiety (OR 1.37; 95%CI 1.24-1.50), cardiopathy (OR 1.51; 95%CI 1.12-2.02) and pneumopathy (OR 2.30; 95%CI 1.28-4.13) were more common in women with MS-VMS. Women with MS-VMS had lower HRQOL as measured by the Cervantes SF scale. Only 17% of women with VMS were treated; 9.2% used hormone therapy. CONCLUSION: VMS, especially MS-VMS, were associated with reduced HRQOL and with multiple risk factors, supporting the clinical need for targeted interventions in menopausal women.

doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108958 Open access PubMed 42066667 Populations