An introduction to the Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline on treatment of symptoms of the menopause

Abstract

Treatment of symptoms of menopause remains a challenge for many health care practitioners. In an effort to facilitate this process, the Endocrine Society convened an international Task Force of menopause experts to review the relevant clinical evidence and formulate practical recommendations for relieving the most common menopausal symptoms. The result is a comprehensive evidence-based guideline, which emphasizes an individualized approach to alleviate bothersome vasomotor symptoms and those related to postmenopausal changes of the vagina and urinary tract. Therapies including estrogen, either alone or in combination with progestogen or bazedoxifene, tibolone, antidepressants, gabapentin, as well as complementary approaches are discussed. In this commentary, the chairs of the Task Force highlight the organization and content of the guideline and the processes involved in its development.