Abstract
Autonomic mechanisms are fundamental to human physiological thermoregulation, and
female reproductive hormones have substantial influences on several aspects of these
mechanisms. Of these, the best recognized are the thermoregulatory responses that
occur at menopause (hot flushes) and the changes in body temperature within the menstrual
cycle which may help couples predict ovulation. Our goal in this brief review is to
summarize current knowledge regarding the influences of reproductive hormones on autonomic
mechanisms in human thermoregulation. In general, estrogens tend to promote lower
body temperatures via augmentation of heat dissipation responses, whereas progesterone
tends to promote higher body temperatures. Recent evidence suggests specific influences
of estrogens on central autonomic nuclei involved in control of skin blood flow and
sweating. Estrogens also augment vasodilation by direct effects on peripheral blood
vessels. Influences of progesterone are less well understood, but include both centrally
regulated changes in thermoregulatory set-point as well as and peripheral effects,
including augmented vasoconstriction in the skin. We conclude with a brief discussion
of thermoregulatory adjustments associated with changing hormone levels during menopause,
pregnancy and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 30, 2015
Accepted:
November 30,
2015
Received in revised form:
October 28,
2015
Received:
August 27,
2015
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier B.V.
