title: Latin American position on the current status of hormone therapy during the menopausal transition and thereafter.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Data from placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials conducted during the past few years resulted in critical re-evaluation of the overall health benefits of hormone therapy (HT) in women during the menopausal transition and thereafter. These data stimulated vigorous debate among experts and produced several position papers by North American and European authorities providing guidance on the use of HT. It is well known that cultural, geographic and ethnic differences influence the acceptance and risk perception of HT. Therefore, it was considered essential to present a position specifically relevant to Latin American countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Latin American Expert Panel, convening in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, obtained consensus on recommendations for HT that incorporated the findings of the most recently published reports. The panelists' opinions were surveyed by means of the Likert scale along five categories ranging from complete agreement to complete disagreement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Panel presented 13 recommendations and considered three additional issues relevant to HT use. There was consensus that HT during the perimenopause and thereafter is warranted in Latin American women in particular for the management of vasomotor symptoms. HT may also be an option for osteoporosis prevention in women at significant risk, after evaluation of risks/benefits and after consideration of alternative therapies. HT should be individualized and prescribed at the lowest effective dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Panel concluded that HT remains a safe and effective treatment option for peri- and postmenopausal Latin American women.
authors: Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Behia. ceparh@uol.com.br
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: Maia
authors: Marco Aurélio
authors: MA
authors: Albernaz
authors: Edmund Chada
authors: EC
authors: Baracat
authors: Ione Cristina
authors: IC
authors: Barbosa
authors: Ronald
authors: R
authors: Bossemeyer
authors: Alberto Hernández
authors: AH
authors: Bueno
authors: Oscar González
authors: OG
authors: Campos
authors: Sebastián
authors: S
authors: Carranza-Lira
authors: Pedro Figueroa
authors: PF
authors: Casas
authors: Alvaro Monterrosa
authors: AM
authors: Castro
authors: Geraldo Rodrigues
authors: GR
authors: de Lima
authors: Nilson R
authors: NR
authors: de Melo
authors: César Eduardo
authors: CE
authors: Fernandes
authors: Javier Santos
authors: JS
authors: González
authors: Francisco Espinosa
authors: FE
authors: Larrañaga
authors: Néstor
authors: N
authors: Siseles
authors: Alfonso Murillo
authors: AM
authors: Uribe
authors: Rafael Molina
authors: RM
authors: Vilchez
authors: Latin American Expert Panel