The menopause: health implications and clinical management

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Gynecology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Increased longevity means women spend a third of life postmenopause.
• Menopause involves anatomical and physiological changes like hot flashes, genitourinary atrophy, and bone loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• Review anatomy, physiology, symptoms, long-term effects, and treatment of menopause.
• Emphasize incontinence and geriatric medicine relevance.

Main Methods:

• Review of English-language publications on menopause and climacteric.
• Inclusion of recent articles and books, prioritizing human studies.

Main Results:

• Postmenopause correlates include mood changes, altered cardiac risk factors, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, fracture risk, and cardiovascular disease risk.
• Estrogen therapy indications: hot flashes, genital atrophy, osteoporosis prevention.
• Various administration routes for estrogens; progestins protect against endometrial hyperplasia; non-hormonal alternatives exist.

Conclusions:

• Menopause management and hormone therapy discussion are crucial in older women's healthcare.
• Healthcare providers must individualize hormone therapy decisions based on patient goals and preferences.