This pilot study was prompted by the hypothesis that greater stress-related blood pressure variability may be associated with the frequency or intensity of menopausal symptoms. Previous studies suggest that stress-reactive and variable blood pressure, like hot flashes, are associated with low estrogen levels in peri-and post-menopausal women. Twenty women aged 44-45 who work in Amherst or Greenfield, Massachusetts, were recruited to wear ambulatory blood pressure monitors for approximately 24 hours while at work, at home, and while sleeping. Using a mixed-effects ANOVA model, variation in systolic pressure (SP), diastolic pressure (DP) and heart rate (HR) was examined in relation to hot flash status: hot flashes during the 24 hour study period (HF) (n=5, readings=323), history of hot flashes (HHF) (n=7, readings=411), and never having had a hot flash (NHF)(n=8, readings=515).