Managing the menopause

doi:10.1136/bmj.39153.522535.BE

BMJ 2007;334:736-741 (7 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.39153.522535.BE

Clinical Review

Managing the menopause

Helen Roberts, senior lecturer women's health

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

h.roberts@auckland.ac.nz

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The transition into the menopause usually begins with elongationof cycle length, the term postmenopausal being used after oneyear with no periods.¹ Most women experience menopause between40 and 58 years of age.¹ No menopausal symptom is universal.^w1In Western society the commonest symptoms are hot flushes, nightsweats, vaginal dryness, and sleep disturbance.² Many womenmanage the menopause by themselves, with only about 10% seekinghelp from healthcare providers.² Hormone replacement therapyis the most effective treatment for symptoms (table 1)³ andalthough opinions are still polarised advice on its use haschanged after the women's health initiative studies.⁴

Hormone replacement therapy remains an appropriatetreatment for women with moderate to severe menopausal symptoms

Hormonereplacement therapy should not be used for the prevention ofchronic disease

Treatment should be at the lowest dose forthe shortest time necessary to control symptoms

Women shouldbe advised of . . . [Full text of this article]

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