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What really matters is the menopausal woman!
  1. Nick Panay, MRCOG, MFSRH1,
  2. Heather Currie, FRCOG, MRCGP2,
  3. Edward Morris, MD, FRCOG3
  1. Chairman, British Menopause Society; Consultant Gynaecologist, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea & Westminster Hospitals, Honorary Lecturer, Imperial College London, London, UK; nickpanay@msn.com
  2. Medical Advisory Council Member, British Menopause Society; Associate Specialist Gynaecologist, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries, UK; Medical Director, ‘Menopause Matters’; heather.currie@nhs.net
  3. Medical Advisory Council Member, British Menopause Society; Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK; edward. morris@nnuh.nhs.uk

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Yet again scientists and epidemiologists are publicly debating the controversies around the previously reported risks of HRT (hormone replacement therapy). Is this further publicity deserved? The impact of studies such as the Million Women Study (MWS)1 and Women's Health Initiative (WHI)2 has been profound, leading to significant reductions in the use of HRT. This has understandably affected millions of menopausal women globally who deserve to be fully informed of any doubts that may exist concerning the studies and should be aware of the debate.3 4

Ever since these papers were published the headlines in the popular press have been biased towards the ‘bad news’ messages, resulting in our patients feeling confused and under pressure to stop HRT. Following a recent web-based survey 70% of women who came off their HRT were below the age of 50 years. More importantly, had these women known what we know today, 45% would have stayed on treatment.5

Many patients have been advised by their doctors to stop HRT and …

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Footnotes

  • Competing interests Nick Panay (NP), Edward Morris (EM) and Heather Currie (HC) have received sponsorship for lectures and advisory work performed for pharmaceutical companies. NP and HC have received educational grants for meetings and NP has received funding for pharmaceutical trials. NP is Co-editor-in-Chief of Climacteric (International Menopause Society journal) and EM/HC are Co-editors-in-Chief of Menopause International (British Menopause Society journal).