Abstract

PRADO MARTINEZ, Consuelo; CARMENATE MORENO, María Margarita  and  MARTINEZ FUENTES, Antonio J. Hormonal replacement therapy: A remedy for senile female involution?. Rev Cubana Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2000, vol.26, n.2, pp. 91-98. ISSN 1561-3062.

Within the involutive female process, the cesation of the ovarian function (menopause) is supposed to be an important condition affecting women physiological (endocrine and functionally) and morphologically (osteal and tissue). The decrease in the quality of life related to a series of symptoms accompanying the estrogenic reduction, as occurs in the case of cardiovascular affections, is an example of this. The hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) is an emergent means used in the treatment of these morbid states. The effectiveness of the treatment, as well as its epidemiological repercussions are being discussed at present. The objective of our paper is to know through an anthropological approach the physiological changes and the modifications in the body composition that are observed under replacement therapy. 100 women aged 46-56 were longitudinally followed for 18 months after the cesation of their menstruations and treated with hormonal replacement therapy. All of them lived in Madrid and came from a middle social setting. The application of the Blatt's index to evaluate the modification in the incidence of climacteric symptoms, showed a statistically significant reduction of their occurrence 6 months after hormone therapy. Weight gain, an evaluation of the body mass index (BMI), and an increase of heart rate and of arterial pressure have also been found. The risk-benefit relationship of the treatment is under discussion.

Keywords : MENOPAUSE [psychology]; WEIGHT GAIN; CLIMACTERIC.

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