摘要
激素替代治疗（HRT）适用于控制由于绝经时卵巢停止产生雌激素而引起的症状。绝经在大约51岁卵泡耗尽时自然出现或手术切除卵巢（同时行或不行子宫切除）后出现。由此所造成的性腺机能减退的状态，可引起雌激素靶组织包括脑、骨骼、皮肤、心血管和生殖泌尿系统的相应改变并产生症状。激素受体的浓度和功能在这些器官和系统中不同；同时，遗传学和大体结构的差异可影响雄激素的产生和循环中雌激素的水平。所以，不同女性的绝经症状各异，靶组织对雌激素缺乏的功能性反应不同，对HRT的反应亦有所不同。
HRT is indicated to manage problems caused when the ovaries stop producing estrogen at the menopause, Cessation of menses occurs naturally when the ovarian follicles are depleted at about 51 years of age, or following surgical removal of the ovaries with or without hysterectomy, The resulting hypogonadal state may cause symptoms and detrimental changes in estrogen target tissues, including the brain, skeleton and skin and the cardiovascular and genitourinary systems, The concentration and function of hormone receptors varies in these organs and systems; also, differences in genetics and general constitution may affect androgen production and levels of circulating estrogen, Thus, there is variation between women in the development of menopausal symptoms, in the functional reaction of the target tissues to estrogen deficiency, and in the response to HRT.
