Menopause Hormone Therapy: 2023 Update

Abstract

The publication of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study in 2002 caused a precipitous decline in use of menopause hormone therapy (MHT). Prior to publication, approximately 43% of women aged 45–74 used MHT; following publication, this number dropped to 11%. Fear of breast cancer was the largest motivator behind this decline. Since the WHI study, menopause medical education has been inadequate; it is estimated that 41% of medical schools do not include menopause education in their undergraduate curriculum. The same study highlighted significant knowledge gaps regarding menopause management among practicing physicians.
 Menopausal women are asking questions and expecting answers. Advocacy groups such as the Menopause Foundation of Canada are empowering women to acknowledge the impact of menopausal symptoms on the workplace, personal relationships and personal health. As MHT is considered first-line therapy (in the absence of contraindications), it behooves healthcare providers to have a working knowledge of MHT.