The woman patient after WHI

An epidemic of fear and distrust has infected women (and physicians) after publication of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). The overinflated negative data emerging from the oestroprogestinic arm of WHI have frightened women and gave rise to the most difficult emotions to cope with. Keywords such as cancer, death and hormones combined together, have potentiated an avoidant attitude towards hormonal therapy (HT) driven more emotionally than rationally. This negative aura has not been dissipated by the positive data from the oestrogen-only arm of WHI. This paper will discuss: women's different emotional reactions to and coping strategies for HT-related fear after WHI; the communication skills physicians should use in focusing on positive messages emerging from WHI; predictors of current HT use; the meaning of the higher use of HT in postmenopausal highly-educated women and women gynaecologists; the importance of increasing healthy life-styles as a taking of responsibility towards aging by every woman; shifting from passivity to active sharing of the decision making process with the caring physician; and the use of an individually tailored HT, when appropriate, as part of an active strategy in the pursuit of a longer health expectancy.