Menopause Symptoms and Treatment

The clinical features of menopause are caused by the estrogen deficiency. Vasomotor instability, Urogenital atrophy, Skeletal, Skin, soft tissue, Psychological 

Vasomotor instability
* hot flashes, hot flushes
* sleep disturbances

Urogenital atrophy
* dyspareunia
* itching
* dryness
* bleeding
* urinary frequency
* urinary urgency
* urinary incontinence

Skeletal
* osteoporosis
* joint, muscle pain
* back pain

Skin, soft tissue
* breast atrophy
* skin thinning
* decreased elasticity

Psychological
* mood disturbance
* irritability
* fatigue
* decreased libido
* memory loss

Medical treatments for menopausal symptoms have been developed. Most notably, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), has been used to reduce the weakening of bones (known as osteoporosis). However, some women have resisted the implication that menopause is a disorder, seeing it as a natural stage of life. There has also been scientific controversy over whether the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks. For many years, women were advised to take hormone therapy after menopause to reduce their risk of heart disease and various aspects of aging. However, a large, randomized, controlled trial (the Women’s Health Initiative) found that women undergoing HRT had an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, heart disease and stroke.

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