Menopause and estrogen replacement therapy

As America ages the menopausal woman is emerging as a principal focus in the health care system. Research efforts continue to define the mechanism for vasomotor instability, osteoporosis, and new and improved methods of estrogen administration. Though attenuation of symptoms of hot flushes, urogenital atrophy, and prevention of osteoporosis can be accomplished by judicious estrogen replacement therapy, the attendant risk of endometrial cancer can be minimized by concurrent administration of progestogen. Gallbladder disease must be considered as an additional risk. Surveillance for early detection of breast cancer is an integral part of care for the climacteric woman. Of greatest concern and potentially greatest impact is the evolution of data endorsing estrogen replacement as a preventive measure against cardiovascular disease. With the goal of maximizing the quality of the last third of each woman's life, individual assessment of signs and symptoms of the climacteric and, if indicated, prescription for a tailored hormone replacement schedule remain the mainstay of care.