MENOPAUSE

As the number of women who are menopausal or are entering the menopausal years steadily increases, and as patients become better informed health consumers, a clear understanding of the physiologic events that occur in conjunction with menopause and knowledge of the options available and their health impact become increasingly important. A view of menopause as a hormone deficiency state is presented. A logical approach to hormone replacement therapy utilizing natural hormones as well as alternatives is described. Guidelines for achieving appropriate hormone levels and monitoring hormone replacement therapy in the menopausal woman are presented.