[Menopausal transition]

Abstract

In this educative article 10 medical questions related to the menopausal transition are answered. The questions are related to etiology, symptomatology, lab investigation, sexuality, need for contraception, hormonal and non-hormonal treatments and their risks and benefits. The purpose of this article is to assist the healthcare practitioner to understand the impact of the menopausal transition, to recognize the symptoms and to understand the risks and benefits of treatment. As women on average work and live longer, they are on average 30 percent of their lives postmenopausal. Attention should be paid to quality of life not only during menopausal transition, but also thereafter, with special awareness of the long term sequelae on women's health.