Reference no: EM133878571

Question

Menopause is a significant life event that marks the end of a woman's reproductive phase and can impact her in various ways (Vigneswaran and Hamoda, 2022). It typically begins with perimenopause, a transitional period that can have both short-term and long-term effects (Vigneswaran and Hamoda, 2022). One of the most common treatments for managing the vasomotor and vaginal symptoms of menopause is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is widely regarded as the gold standard (Cameron et al., 2023). Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, can vary in intensity and duration, while menopause can also cause vaginal atrophy and dryness, leading to discomfort during intercourse and an increased risk of infections (Cameron et al., 2023). These symptoms can have a profound impact on a woman's quality of life (Cameron et al., 2023). HRT has substantial evidence supporting its effectiveness in alleviating these symptoms (Cameron et al., 2023). However, after 2002, the use of menopausal HRT declined sharply due to safety concerns raised by the Women's Health Initiative regarding conjugated equine estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate (Harrison et al., 2024). These concerns highlighted the risks of HRT, including an increased risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and venous thromboembolism (Cameron et al., 2023). As a result, the initiation of menopausal HRT saw a marked decrease in the years following these findings (Harrison et al., 2024).