Reacción a "Reactions: review highlights lack of menopause studies "

This review aggregates the evidence of more than half a century and is generally quite good and accurate. It is of high quality and its conclusions are well supported by previously published data. Obviously, not all the data provided are solid because much remains to be known, both about the effects of menopause on women's bodies and about therapies to alleviate the effects and symptoms of menopause. 

This work sums up everything that has been published previously. It does not provide more value than what we already know and only refreshes some topics such as the definition of menopause, the diagnosis of the stages, the metabolic effect of hormones on the body or the possible therapies and their evidence to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. The review includes the latest studies published this year. It also addresses a current issue: the impact of menopausal symptoms on the working environment and quality of life. 

As it is a review, only the limitations of the studies analysed have been checked, including the famous WHI [Women's Health Initiative] study, which has revolutionised the hormonal treatment of menopause, but with the limitations mentioned above. The most important limitation of the entire review is that the available therapies still need more studies due to the multiple formulations and, above all, that they need to be carried out over longer periods. What the authors have made clear is that the most effective therapy is hormonal therapy, which, when individualised, has more benefits than risks. 

The implications for users and for the healthcare community are that menopause, although natural, alters the quality of life and worsens the survival of women due to the implications it has on their body. Good counselling, individualisation and appropriate therapy for each case guarantee an improvement in women's health during menopause. On the other hand, this study highlights the interest that this stage, common to all women, has for society and the National Health System.