title: Allopathic and complementary alternatives to hormone replacement therapy.
abstract: Management of the menopause is a rapidly growing concern due to the ageing human population. The overall female lifespan has increased over the last century and up to a third of a woman's life is now spent in menopause. To that end, significant attention has been placed on maximising the quantity and quality of life in the menopausal years. The optimal management strategies are ones that are highly flexible and sensitive to an individual's expectations and concerns. Thus, while traditional oestrogen replacement therapy has been in place for > 20 years, there is now a greater interest in alternatives to this modality for those women who cannot or will not use it. This article reviews some of the alternative therapies that are being incorporated both in the allopathic and complementary medicine arenas.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Eichholz
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mahavni
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sood
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000191:economics; D000075202:Contraindications; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D003000:Clonidine; D004164:Diphosphonates; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors