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Review
. 2000 Dec 16;321(7275):1516-9.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.321.7275.1516.

"Extracts from "Clinical evidence": Menopausal symptoms

J Rymer  1 , E P Morris
Affiliations
Review

"Extracts from "Clinical evidence": Menopausal symptoms

J Rymer et al. BMJ. .

Abstract

Definition: Menopause begins one year after the last menstrual period. Symptoms often begin in the perimenopausal years. INCIDENCE/PREVALENCE: In the United Kingdom the mean age for the menopause is 50 years 9 months. The median onset of the perimenopause is between 45.5 and 47.5 years. One Scottish survey (of 6096 women aged 45 to 54 years) found that 84% had experienced at least one of the classic menopausal symptoms, with 45% finding one or more symptoms a problem. AETIOLOGY/RISK FACTORS: Urogenital symptoms of menopause are caused by decreased oestrogen concentrations, but the cause of vasomotor symptoms and psychological effects is complex and remains unclear.

Prognosis: Menopause is a physiological event. Its timing may be genetically determined. Although endocrine changes are permanent, menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, which are experienced by about 70% of women, usually resolve with time. However, some symptoms, such as genital atrophy, may remain the same or worsen.

Aims: To reduce or prevent menopausal symptoms, and to improve quality of life with minimum adverse effects.

Outcomes: Frequency and severity of vasomotor, urogenital, and psychological symptoms; quality of life.

Methods: Clinical Evidence search and appraisal December 1999. We included only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews that met Clinical Evidence quality criteria.

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