The SWAN (Study of Women's Health Across the Nation) study identified which primary vasomotor symptom characteristic that distinguishes women with the most severe and persistent hot flushes?

• A Onset only at perimenopause after final menstrual period
• B Predominantly nocturnal sweats with no daytime symptoms
• C Hot flush onset beginning in early perimenopause that persists for > 10 years ✓
• D Symptoms confined to 2 years post-menopause

Explanation

The SWAN study demonstrated that vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes) frequently begin in early perimenopause rather than after the final menstrual period, and the duration can extend for a median of 7.4 years (up to > 10 years in many women). Women who develop hot flushes early (pre-FMP onset) have the longest duration of symptoms. This countered the earlier belief that menopausal symptoms were short-lived post-FMP.

Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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