title: The medical management of menopause: to treat or not to treat?
abstract: The evidence concerning the effects of hormone therapy (HT) has been greatly expanded by the publication of very large randomized controlled trials. A consequence has been concern among women about the risks of HT such that the number of menopausal women using HT for relief of menopausal symptoms has declined. It is now appropriate to look at the best evidence available and to consider current policies. Women in the early postmenopausal phase, generally younger than 60 years of age, who are troubled by menopausal symptoms should be reassured that, for their circumstances, medical management of menopause in the form of HT is appropriate. If they go on to use HT for several years, it is possible that they will experience skeletal and coronary health benefits, but the evidence for such benefits is a matter of ongoing debate.
authors.affiliation: Wolfson Medical School Building, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK. execdean@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Barlow
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011372:Progestins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins