MANILA, Philippines , May 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of women around the world continue to suffer unnecessarily from the physical and psychological effects of the menopause because of "mistaken fears" about the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy. A world leader in human fertility and women's health has warned that continued under-utilisation of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) will result in growing numbers of women experiencing diminished quality of life because of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, osteoporosis and premature cognitive decline. Addressing a global conference on human fertility in the Philippine s tod ay, Professor Eileen Manalo said more women now have a life expectancy exceeding 80 years meaning many will spend over a third of their lives in a postmenopausal state driven by hormone deficiency.
"Up to 80 per cent of all women are affected by menopausal symptoms with a quarter describing them as severe," she said. "Although the menopause is a natural transition, it has important physiological manifestations resulting from hormonal changes that have far reaching short and long-term consequences. "There is robust evidence that MHT initiated before the age of 60, or within 10 years from when menstruation ceases, is a highly effective treatment for the symptoms of the menopause, that it prevents hip fractures and reduces cardiovascular disease mortality.
" Professor Manalo said MHT had been "demonised" over two decades ago b y a s tudy of.
