Care of the menopausal patient: a nurse practitioner's view

To evaluate the benefits and risks of hormone therapy (HT) and other treatment options for early postmenopausal women.

Published clinical trials, selected peer-reviewed literature, and recent clinical practice guidelines.

Results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) studies on HT may not be directly applicable to healthy, early postmenopausal women suffering from hot flushes. HT is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. The benefits of HT in relieving menopausal symptoms are likely to exceed the risks in this population.

The results of the WHI reinforce the importance of individualized care based on a woman's medical history, medical needs, and desired outcomes. Nurse practitioners can help their patients put recent results into perspective. When HT is used, nurse practitioners should consider using lower doses and reevaluate the need for therapy annually.