Counseling in menopausal women: How to address the benefits and risks of menopause hormone therapy. A FIGO position paper

Abstract

Menopause marks the end of menstrual cyclicity and, depending on individual vulnerability, has several consequences related to gonadal steroid deprivation, especially if it is premature. Menopause may be more burdensome for some women than for others. Individual factors, such as personal history, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and current health conditions, affect symptomatology and, thereby, the menopausal experience. In addition, some menopausal symptoms, such as severe hot flashes, sleep disorders, and depression, are markers of future health risks. Counseling is a fundamental part of health care in the peri‐ and postmenopause periods. It must include an assessment of the patient's symptoms, needs, desires, and risk profile to address the benefits and risks of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on an individual basis and promote a healthy lifestyle. Indeed, healthcare practitioners can and must protect the health and lives of mid‐life women by increasing awareness of menopausal symptoms and ensuring healthcare options, especially MHT. The type and duration of MHT should be tailored based on the patient's history, menopausal age, physical characteristics, and current health status so that the benefits always outweigh the risks. This FIGO position paper focuses on the benefits and risks of MHT on health domains, target organs, and systems, and on systemic and vaginal MHT regimens, to provide indications that can be used in the clinical practice for menopausal counseling. Moreover, it offers insights into what FIGO considers the mainstay for the healthcare management of women in peri‐ and postmenopause, worldwide.

A terapia de reposição hormonal bioidêntica na menopausa: aplicabilidade e evoluções

“…Outrossim, Souza e seus colaboradores (2023) destacam que outra questão importante a considerar é a individualidade de cada mulher e como isso pode influenciar a resposta ao tratamento com terapia de reposição hormonal bioidêntica. O que funciona para uma mulher pode não funcionar para outra, e é essencial que os profissionais de saúde levem em conta fatores como histórico médico, estilo de vida e preferências pessoais ao recomendar um curso de tratamento (Genazzani et al, 2024).…”

“…Além do manejo dos sintomas da menopausa, a terapia de reposição Brazilian Journal of Health Review, Curitiba, v. 7, n. 3, p. 01-14, may/jun., 2024 hormonal bioidêntica também está sendo investigada por seus potenciais benefícios para a saúde geral das mulheres. Estudos sugerem que a reposição hormonal pode desempenhar um papel na prevenção de condições como doenças cardiovasculares, osteoporose e até mesmo demência em mulheres na pós-menopausa (Genazzani et al, 2024).…”