PHYSIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE CLIMACTERIC

Women in the climacteric should have a thorough medical investigation, reassurance, and endocrine therapy when indicated.Estrogens give prompt relief to the large number of women with sympathetic nervous system symptoms during the climacteric.Estrogens are most effective when given parenterally followed by short periods of oral administration.Estrogens should be given only for actual need and withdrawn after symptoms disappear.Androgens are useful in the immediate control of functional bleeding and also for alleviating symptoms in patients who respond poorly to estrogens or for whom estrogens are contraindicated.The addition of vitamin B to parenteral endocrine therapy apparently enhances the effect of the hormone.