Investigating the aetiology of flushing in hypogonadal men
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the aetiology of flushing in hypogonadal men
IRAS ID
165129
Contact name
Jenifer I Sassarini
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS GG+C
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Hot flushes occur commonly in 75% of peri-and postmenopausal women and significantly affect quality of life in 25%. Despite this, we still do not fully understand the what causes a hot flush. It is possibly due to altered blood vessel function or changes in the way that the brain controls temperature. When body temperature rises, blood vessels below the skin dilate to lose heat, resulting in skin reddening and sweating. Hot flushes can occur at the smallest provocation or for no reason at all. Men being treated for prostate cancer can also experience hot flushing as a result of drug administration causing a drop in testosterone, probably via a mechanism similar to postmenopausal women. Laser Doppler imaging with iontophoresis can assess blood flow through skin blood vessels and increases in blood flow are seen in women who flush compared to women who do not flush. There are very few studies in men with flushing and we would like to study blood flow in the skin of the forearm of men before and after treatment for prostate cancer, and compare those who develop flushing with those who do not. Determining the cause of flushing might lead to the development of new innovative treatments.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1529
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion