Aging, the Menopausal Transition, and Hormone Replenishment Therapy: Retrieval of Confidence and Compliance

The negative health consequences of age and the postmenopausal hypoestrogenic state and their clinical management are described in this paper. While some dysfunctional elements are irreversibly entrained, others can be modified by an updated menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) strategy reflecting revision and reassessment of the initial Women's Health Initiative (WHI) reports. However, until that positive outcome is realized, menopausal women and their healthcare providers must re-establish willingness to utilize these effective strategies. This reluctance is fueled by persistent mistaken application of WHI results that reflect the bundled risk and benefits of MHT in asymptomatic women aged 50-79 (average age 63), as opposed to women in their 40s and 50s who initiate therapy because of vasomotor symptoms. The absolute risk of adverse outcomes is much lower and the benefits dramatically higher in these younger women. In addition, newer FDA-approved formulations, lower dosage regimens, and transdermal delivery methodologies offer wider choice of approaches and promise even greater safety. The positive and negative lessons of the WHI have been learned and can be applied effectively.