Menopause & Aging: Hormone Replacement & Bone Health

A common issue for many women experiencing menopause is considering the relative benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate bothersome symptoms such as hot flashes. Many women also seek diagnosis and ongoing treatment for osteoporosis. Montefiore’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health has the expertise and understanding to ensure our patients get the very best guidance and care for these important needs.

Vast experience with treatment options

The vast experience of the department’s doctors helps us determine which menopausal treatment trends mark real advancements and which women will benefit from them.

The question most frequently asked by menopausal women is whether hormone replacement therapy is right for them. Each woman’s body and symptoms respond to hormones in a unique way. It is often difficult to assess how a woman will respond to treatment until it is underway. Our doctors work to form a partnership with patients, in order to perfect a treatment strategy together.

We help women weigh the benefits of different types and levels of hormones used to treat symptoms against the small but definable risks associated with them.

Convenient, individualized care

Because much of menopause treatment is based on how it impacts specific symptoms, we help our patients tailor their medication as their symptoms change.

Once a woman has started on a treatment plan, our doctors complete many follow-up consultations by e-mail. We can easily track treatment success based on how patients’ symptoms have changed, without the necessity of office visits.

Healthy bones a priority

We recognize that osteoporosis is a special concern for many women entering or in menopause. At Montefiore, we make bone health an early and ongoing priority. When patients first seek treatment for symptoms of menopause, we assess whether their bone density should be measured or simply monitored. If low bone density is revealed, we discuss possible treatment options. We also help our patients to identify and adjust lifestyle factors, such as exercise and diet, for optimal bone health.

Advancing new treatments through research

Our commitment to ongoing research means that Montefore is at the forefront of identifying and assessing new treatment options. We offer our patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials and studies, and many have benefited from being part of these research endeavors, including:

• National Institute of Healt—funded studies on menopause transition.
• Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS): Montefiore is one of eight centers funded to study early estrogen treatment's prevention of heart disease.
• Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN): A groundbreaking multi-ethnic study of how health behaviors and risks change during menopause.
• Dozens of clinical trials of new treatments completed over the years.

Our dedication to both clinical and observational studies gives us an informed knowledge of new medications and a sophisticated understanding of how to apply them, which leads to individually tailored care for our patients.

© 2010 Montefiore Medical Center