An Update on Menopause Management

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Women's Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Menopause symptoms prompt many women to seek medical care.
• Hormone therapy (HT) prescribing recommendations have shifted significantly since 2002.
• Updated guidelines from major medical societies reflect new analyses and clinical trial data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current recommendations for hormone therapy in menopause.
• To discuss new medications available for menopause symptom management.
• To present evidence-based alternatives to hormone therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of updated guidelines from the North American Menopause Society and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
• Analysis of long-term data from the Women's Health Initiative study.
• Inclusion of emerging data from recent clinical trials.

Main Results:

• Systemic estrogen use in women with a uterus requires progestogen co-administration.
• Two novel selective estrogen receptor modulators are available for use without a progestogen.
• Risks and benefits of current hormone therapy approaches are detailed.

Conclusions:

• Current menopause management integrates updated HT guidelines and novel pharmacotherapies.
• Selective estrogen receptor modulators offer new options for women.
• Evidence-based non-hormonal treatments are also crucial for managing menopause symptoms.