Postmenopausal hormone therapy: from monkey glands to transdermal patches

Abstract

The climacteric is not a condition of the modern age, although with increased life expectancy over the centuries, more women will experience this physiological transition. As women are living longer there is a greater expectation that good health will be maintained through to the late decade. Thus the potential long-term adverse health consequences of using hormonal therapies (HTs) to alleviate menopausal symptoms are of considerable concern for women and medical practitioners. This concern is often the basis for a decision whether or not to use HT. We have reviewed the history of knowledge of the menopause and the development of HT for the treatment of climacteric complaints. We have also summarised the current evidence for specific benefits and risks of HT. Data indicate that postmenopausal HT is appropriate for the management of vasomotor symptoms, but that HT should not be prescribed for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or dementia. HT does prevent bone loss and osteoporotic fracture; however, use for this purpose remains controversial. The risk of breast cancer with HT varies according to the preparation used, such that oestrogen without concurrent progestin appears to convey little, or possibly even no significant breast cancer risk. There is insufficient information regarding the long-term use of non-oral HT, low-dose HT or novel compounds such as tibolone or the selective oestrogen receptor modulators with respect to breast cancer and cardiovascular risk for specific recommendations to be made.