Variations on hormone replacement therapy: an answer to the 'one dose fits all' Women's Health Initiative study

Abstract

The Women's Health Initiative study worked on the assumption that one dose would fit all asymptomatic postmenopausal women. The investigators therefore often used the wrong dose, of the wrong hormones, on the wrong patients and therefore came to many wrong conclusions. Different combinations of different hormones are necessary for different symptoms and different age groups. Hormone replacement therapy may be commenced in the perimenopausal phase, the early postmenopause, the late postmenopause or after hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or a premature menopause. These all require different treatments. Similarly, various indications such as vasomotor symptoms, sexual problems, depression or the treatment/prevention of osteoporosis all need different combinations of estradiol and possibly progestogen and testosterone, according to the specific requirements of the patient.