The pathophysiology and management of menopausal symptoms

The menopause is a significant event in a women's life that can potentially impact on her quality of life in several ways. It marks the end of the reproductive life cycle and the clinical manifestations of the menopause result from the eventual exhaustion of oocytes within the ovaries. The depletion of these oocytes results in chronic hypoestrogenic state, which in the short term can cause menopausal symptoms and over a longer period, may impact upon bone and cardiovascular health. This review summarises current understanding of pathophysiology of the symptoms of the menopause as well as reviewing the current recommendations for HRT use in symptomatic menopausal women. The benefits of HRT in improving the symptoms of menopause are discussed as well as a review of the evidence pertaining to the potential risks associated with HRT.