[The postmenopausal estrogen deficiency syndrome and hormone replacement therapy]

The oestrogen deficiency syndrome comprises all subjective and objective complaints and all organic and metabolic organ damage encountered after natural and induced menopause. In the development of these pathological conditions participates in a marked way endogenous oestrogen deficiency - oestrogen deficiency. The oestrogen deficiency syndrome affects some topographically remote organs and is manifested by an apparently clinically heterogeneous symptomatology. The clinical picture of the syndrome can therefore be very varied. It affects the mucosal membranes of the vagina, urethra, trigonum of the urinary bladder, oral cavity, nose, pharynx and larynx, eyes and large intestine, as well as the skin and its adnexa, the breasts, skeleton and cardiovascular system. The syndrome involves therefore all medical disciplines. The common origin of all pathological conditions ensuing from oestrogen deficiency calls for interdisciplinary collaboration in a new discipline - climacteric medicine. Exogenous oestrogens in different forms hold an important place in the prevention and treatment of oestrogen deficiency syndrome. In the first place it is prevention and treatment of arteriosclerosis, ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular attacks and osteoporosis. If we add undoubtedly favourable effects of hormonal substitution therapy on vasomotor complaints and symptoms of the organ syndrome, then the advantages of HRT markedly overrule its risks.