Treatment of menopausal symptoms post-Women's Health Initiative: refinement of existing treatments and development of new therapies.
Menopause is a normal life transition for women. More than 80% of women experience some symptoms at menopause and > 25% of women in western countries seek treatment for a variety of symptoms that accompany this transition. In addition, there are certain chronic disease processes that accelerate after the menopausal transition. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with various combinations of oestrogen and progesterone compounds has been the mainstay of treatment for menopausal symptoms, as well as theoretical reduction in acceleration of certain chronic diseases after menopause. After the publication of the results of the Women's Health Initiative study in June 2002, the safety of HRT, as well as its effectiveness in decreasing various chronic diseases, was challenged. New formulations of hormone therapy, as well as new treatments, are evolving to aid the reduction of menopausal symptoms and long-term risks of common chronic disease processes that accelerate after the menopause.
Honebrink
Ann
A
University of Pennsylvania Health System, 34th and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. honebria@pahosp.com
D004345:Drug Industry / Q000639:trends; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends; D016387:Women's Health
D015507:Drugs, Investigational