The fate of the untreated menopause

The human female climacteric is the phase of life that marks the transition from the reproductive to the nonreproductive years. When symptoms occur, the term "climacteric syndrome" may be utilized. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate that sufficient evidence now exists to confirm that the climacteric syndrome is a specific one that can be regarded as an endocrinopathy. The statement that the human female climacteric represents a pathologic rather than a physiologic state should not generate antagonistic counter-arguments; rather, it should be recognized as a challenge for the identification, prediction, and prevention of organic disease in the woman during the climacteric and after.