Menopause news
BMS Council Consensus Statement on HRT
23 May 2013
British Menopause Society Council Consensus Statement on Hormone Replacement Therapy
Summary
The British Menopause Society Council aims to aid health professionals to inform and advise women about the menopause. This guidance refers to estrogen- based hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and tibolone, which is classified in the British National Formulary as HRT. Treatment choice should be based on up to date information and targeted to individual women's needs. HRT still offers the potential for benefit to outweigh harm, providing the appropriate regimen has been instigated in terms of dose, route and combination for a valid clinical indication.
23 May 2013
Summary practice points
- The decision whether to use HRT should be made by each woman having been given sufficient information by her health professional to make a fully informed choice.
- The HRT dosage, regimen and duration should be individualised, with annual evaluation of pros and cons.
- Arbitrary limits should not be placed on the duration of usage of HRT; if symptoms persist, the benefits of hormone therapy usually outweigh the risks.
- HRT prescribed before the age of 60 has a favourable benefit / risk profile.
- It is imperative that women with premature ovarian insufficiency are encouraged to use HRT at least until the average age of the menopause.
- If HRT is to be used in women over 60 years of age, lower doses should be started, preferably with a transdermal route of administration.
- It is imperative that in our ageing population research and development of increasingly sophisticated hormonal preparations should continue to maximise benefits and minimise side effects and risks.
- This will optimise quality of life and facilitate the primary prevention of long term conditions which create a personal, social and economic burden.
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