The risks of avoiding hormone replacement therapy during menopause Los riesgos de no usar terapia hormonal de la menopausia: Deterioro de la calidad de vida

Abstract

© 2017, Sociedad Medica de Santiago. All rights reserved. Menopause is associated with several symptoms which, if they reach certain intensity, can severely impair the quality of life. Overall, 90.9% of Latin American women will have at least one climacteric symptom and in 25% these will be severe. Musculoskeletal pain, physical and mental fatigue and depressed mood are the most common climacteric symptoms. Dyspareunia, mood disorders and irritability can significantly alter female sexuality. Hot flashes are the symptoms most frequently related to menopause by both physicians and patients. However, it is one of the less common menopausal symptoms. This symptom reflects the neurochemical brain disorders caused by estrogen deficiency. The central nervous system (CNS) is also involved in changes of body composition leading to higher adipose tissue accumulation during climacterium, deteriorating quality of life and increasing the risk for chronic non-transmittable diseases. Menopausal disc