摘要
各种绝经症状和远期后遗症都是由雌激素缺乏引起的。因此雌激素替代是顺理成章的治疗方法，激素替代治疗的治疗作用已经取得了认可。在过去的几年里，应用激素替代治疗的临床证据发生了显著的变化。虽然激素替代治疗仍被用于治疗绝经症状，但它已不再被推荐用于其他慢性病的预防。激素替代治疗的依从性很差，只有50％～60％的妇女可以坚持采用此疗法1年以上。许多妇女害怕应用这种疗法会增加患乳腺癌的风险（见MEDICINE，2006，34：6），厌恶月经的恢复及其他副作用。是否开始或继续应用激素替代治疗必须由妇女和其健康顾问在充分衡量利弊后共同决定。
The symptoms and long-term sequelae of the menopause are caused by a deficiency of estrogen. Estrogen replacement is therefore the logical treatment, and a therapeutic role for HRT has been clearly identified. In the last few years, the clinical evidence base for prescribing HRT has changed significantly. Although HRT continues to be prescribed for menopausal symptoms, it is no longer recommended for the prevention of long-term chronic diseases. Overall compliance with HRT is poor; only about 50-60% of women continue to take HRT after 1 year. Many women fear that HRT will significantly increase their risk of breast cancer （see page 6）, and dislike the return of menstrual bleeding and other side-effects associated with therapy. Decisions to initiate or con- tinue HRT must therefore be made jointly between women and their health-care advisers, with adequate opportunity for discussion about the individual＇s risks and benefits.
