The Ageing Woman

The Controversial History of Hormone Replacement Therapy

“…In the 20th century, the interest in menopausal disorder has been increasing, but it took a long time to realize the real impact of hormone depletion on women’s health. The clinical conditions associated with menopause were identified as “Hormone Deficiency Syndrome” [1], which included, besides hot flashes, other late onset chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular events, Alzheimer’s disease, and vaginal atrophy. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA )approved an estrogen product for the first time, Preamirin ® , for the treatment of hot flashes [2].…”

Assessment of Phonatory Function by the Airway Interruption Method: Age‐Related Changes

“…In women, oocytes begin to diminish in number around the age of 40 years; this is associated with reduced ovarian function and decreased estrogen levels. Menopause occurs around the age of 50 years, and the production of estrogen ceases around the mid 50's 15 . Skin atrophy is a secondary reaction to reduced estrogen levels and occurs a few years after menopause 15 .…”

The Symptom Complex Associated with the Menopause

“…It is not surprising, therefore, that any survey of the current psychiatric literature uncovers a number of inconsistencies. 43 Nonetheless, a general trend confirming an increased perimenopausal frequency of these minor psychiatric symptoms does exist, 10,24,43,47,50 although not all authors are in agreement. 45,46,51,52 It also becomes obvious that the responses to these symptoms can be profoundly influenced by social and cultural differences.…”

“…This concept of one syndrome occurring over a period of time has been well described by van Keep and Kellerhals. 24…”

“…There is no evidence that these symptoms are causally related to altered hormone profiles. 24,35 There is also no evidence that libido is affected by menopause, although it is possible that hysterectomy may deleteriously affect this function. 36 The verification and classification of these symptoms within the sphere of climacteric has proven exceptionally difficult.…”