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Menopause and HRT: Doubts and Certainties

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Frontiers in Gynecological Endocrinology

Part of the book series: ISGE Series ((ISGE))

Abstract

Menopausal transition results from declining ovarian function and leads to dramatic decreases in estrogens, which turns into a number of disturbances. Because climacteric symptoms result from a decrease in estrogens, it naturally follows that replacing estrogens with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is effective against menopausal symptoms. HRT is the most effective treatment to reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flushes and vaginal atrophy and positively affects bone loss and risk of fractures. Doubts still linger on the impact of HRT on cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Recent data supports the initiation of HRT around the time of menopause to treat menopause-related symptoms and to prevent osteoporosis in women at high risk of fracture. Evidence of a direct link between time since menopause and initiation of HRT has also emerged, which may affect the impact on cardiovascular disease and brain deterioration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Castellana, 2, 56011, Calci, Pisa, Italy

    Guja Bernacchi, Stefania Spina, Elena Cecchi, Andrea R. Genazzani & Tommaso Simoncini

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  1. Guja Bernacchi
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  2. Stefania Spina
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  3. Elena Cecchi
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  4. Andrea R. Genazzani
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  5. Tommaso Simoncini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea R. Genazzani .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Reproductive Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Bart C. J. M. Fauser

  2. International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, Pisa, Italy

    Andrea R. Genazzani

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© 2015 International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology

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Bernacchi, G., Spina, S., Cecchi, E., Genazzani, A.R., Simoncini, T. (2015). Menopause and HRT: Doubts and Certainties. In: Fauser, B.C.J.M., Genazzani, A.R. (eds) Frontiers in Gynecological Endocrinology. ISGE Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09662-9_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09662-9_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-09661-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-09662-9

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