title: The menopausal transition: characteristics and management.
abstract: The menopausal transition is a complex period in a woman's life, reflecting ovarian ageing and concomitant hormonal changes, in addition to social and metabolic changes. These changes, in turn, influence the signs and symptoms common to this period. Symptoms which are influenced by the hormonal fluctuations occurring during the menopausal transition include vasomotor symptoms and vaginal dryness; others are breast tenderness, poor sleep and pre-menstrual dysphoria. Hormonal therapy has been shown to be first-line therapy for many of these symptoms. Other types of pharmacotherapies may be helpful, including selective serotonergic uptake inhibitors for vasomotor symptoms. Characteristic signs of the menopausal transition include abnormal uterine bleeding, best managed with hormonal pharmacotherapy; diminishing bone mineral density, which may warrant diagnostic intervention, and may benefit from dietary and lifestyle modifications; and increased body-mass index and worsening lipid profile, which also may benefit from dietary and lifestyle modifications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zapantis
authors.forename: Nanette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Santoro
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone