Clinicians are accustomed to treating patients who have medical illnesses; however, managing the symptoms associated with menopause—a natural, biologic process—is quite different. Hormone therapy (HT) using estrogen either with or without progesterone remains the most effective, and most studied, treatment.1 But many patients and clinicians have reservations about using HT because of the controversy surrounding it. All clinicians, regardless of their specialty, may encounter patients who have questions about the use of hormones. In family medicine practices, women may inquire about hot flashes and night sweats; in orthopedics practices, the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis; and, in gynecology practices, dyspareunia and vaginal atrophy. Clinicians should be able to respond with accurate, upto- date information on the recommendations for HT as well as its known risks and benefits.
The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) estimates that 6,000 women daily and more than 2 million women each year enter menopause.2 Menopause occurs in three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause. Perimenopause is when estrogen levels begin sporadically increasing and decreasing, leading to irregular menstruation and adverse symptoms, such as hot flashes. Perimenopause begins the transition to menopause and can last for 5 years or longer. Menopause is defined as the final cessation of menstrual periods and is confirmed after 12 consecutive months of amenorrhea. A woman is then considered to be postmenopausal. At this time, her ovaries produce very little estrogen and no progesterone, and ovulation has ceased. Typically, a woman experiences natural menopause between the ages of 45 and 54 years.
Comment from Leslie
Just like the tobacco companies – when older wiser figure out the risks, Big Pharma targets the younger demographics…..If you kept up with the news you will realize that older women are suing these companies over HRT because they got breast cancer because of all the estrogen.
Oh and by the way – did you notice they dropped the “R” so instead of HRT it is not “HT” for hormone therapy – mediocre marketing concept at best.
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