Menopause : change, choice and HRT / Dr Barry G. Wren, Margaret Stephenson Meere.

Includes index.

Print version record.

From a gynecologist and menopause researcher of 40 years, a guide empowering women with the knowledge to make health decisions around menopause that suit their needs and lifestyleA woman's menopause is part of her aging process, the beginning of a journey of personal change and growth. However, this new stage of life and how to deal with the emotional and physical changes of it does not come with a road map. This guide provides some direction and a new understanding of menopause. With more than 40 years experience as a gynecological endocrinologist, Dr. Wren has researched the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and presents them here in easy-to-understand language. The book covers the mental, physical, and emotional effects of menopause, and outlines the case for and against HRT and alternative therapies and the choices available to women to treat the symptoms of menopause. It seeks to clarify the role of estrogen in maintaining a woman's health, explaining that estrogen therapy plays a major role in reduction of disease in a postmenopausal woman as well as increasing her longevity.

COVER; TITLE; COPYRIGHT; DEDICATION; HOW TO USE THIS BOOK; AUTHOR'S NOTE; PROLOGUE; INTRODUCTION; SECTION ONE; 1. A HISTORY OF THE MENOPAUSE AND HRT; A history of management of the menopause; Sex and its influence on the understanding of menopause; The development of effective hormone therapy; The development of oral contraception and HRT; The development of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT); Summary; 2. THE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE MENOPAUSE; Menopause; Peri-menopause; Post-menopause; Premature menopause; The endocrine system; Ovarian hormones.

Anatomy of the reproductive organs of the pelvisOvarian physiology and the sex hormones; The end of female production of estradiol and progesterone; Physiological changes during peri-menopause; Summary; 3. THE WOMEN'S HEALTH INITIATIVE STUDY; The Study; The suitability of women selected for HRT studies; Unfortunate consequences of the WHI Study; Medical research reports, studies and their interpretation; Summary; SECTION TWO; 4. HORMONES AND GENITAL CANCER; Endometrial (uterine) cancer; Ovarian cancer; Breast cancer; Genetic mutations in pre-menopausal women.

Risk factors associated with development of breast cancerCluster cancers; Summary; 5. ESTROGEN AND THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM; The protective effect of estrogen; Thrombosis (clot); Varicose veins; Summary; 6. OSTEOPAENIA AND OSTEOPOROSIS; Bone mineral density studies; The role of estrogen in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis; The increased risk of osteoporosis for a woman who stops HRT; Summary; 7. HORMONES, BRAIN FUNCTION, MEMORY AND DEMENTIA; Alzheimer's dementia; Summary; 8. LOSS OF LIBIDO (HYPOACTIVE SEXUAL DESIRE DISORDER); Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone; Summary.

SECTION THREE9. HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY REGIMENS; The development of hormone therapy regimens; Progesterone and progestogens (progestins); Testosterone; Prescribing advice and HRT; For how long should HRT be used?; Summary; 10. METHODS OF DELIVERING HRT REGIMENS; Oral hormone therapy regimens; Transdermal therapy regimens; Hormone implants; Troches; Vaginal therapy; Summary; 11. ADVERSE SIDE-EFFECTS OF HRT; Breakthrough bleeding; Mastalgia; Skin, hair growth and hair loss; Weight gain; Summary; 12. OTHER MEDICAL TREATMENTS FOR MENOPAUSE; (SERMs) Specific estrogen receptor modulators.

Neurotransmitter modulatorsSummary; 13. COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES FOR THE MENOPAUSE; Proof of efficacy; Vitamins; Soy products; Red clover extract (Promensil); Black cohosh (Remifemin); Evening primrose oil; Traditional Chinese herbal medicines-Ginseng and Dong Quai; Progesterone cream; Wild yam cream; DHEAS (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate); Over-the-counter products; Summary; 14. HRT FOLLOWING BREAST CANCER, ENDOMETRIOSIS OR FIBROIDS; HRT after breast cancer; HRT and endometriosis; HRT and fibroids (fibromyoma); Summary; SECTION FOUR; 15. THE BALANCE AND BEAUTY OF AGEING.