Management of perimenopause disorders: hormonal treatment

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2021 Mar;37(3):195-200. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2020.1852544. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

Abstract

Perimenopause represents a transition period of a woman's life during which physiological, affective, psychological, and social changes mark progression from a woman's fertile life to menopause, with wide sexual hormones fluctuations until the onset of hypergonadotropic hypogonadic amenorrhea. Contraception during menopause should not only avoid unwanted pregnancies, but also improve quality of life and prevent wide range of condition affecting this population. Hormonal contraceptives confer many noncontraceptive benefits for women approaching menopause: treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding, relief from vasomotor symptoms, endometrial protection in women using estrogen therapy, musculoskeletal protection, and mood disorders protection. The main point remains selecting the most adequate contraceptive option for each woman, considering her risk factor, comorbidities, and keeping in mind the possibility of continuing contraception until reaching menopause and even further, creating a bridge between perimenopause and menopause hormonal therapy. Correct perimenopause management should rely on individualized medical therapy and multidisciplinary approach considering lifestyle and food habits as part of general good health of a woman.

Keywords: Perimenopause disorders; contraception; hormone therapy; menopause hormonal therapy; menopause transition.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Contraception / methods
  • Female
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Perimenopause* / drug effects
  • Perimenopause* / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Assessment