Hormone replacement therapy for the adolescent patient.
Pubertal induction and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during adolescence are conducted with the aim of closely mirroring the pubertal changes that occur in children with a normal hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. The challenge for the clinician is to determine the most appropriate form, dosing, and duration of replacement therapy to achieve that goal in an individual patient. While the optimal regimen remains unclear and data in adolescents are limited, this review presents the evidence available to clinicians as they care for adolescent girls and young women. Both the goals and phases of HRT are reviewed, and commonly used medication regimens are presented. Both the benefits and risks associated with various methods of HRT are also discussed, as are special issues of concern regarding adolescent HRT, including eating disorders and bone health.
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, 333 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. amy.divasta@childrens.harvard.edu
Amy D
AD
DiVasta
Catherine M
CM
Gordon
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004967:Estrogens