What is the recommended role for hormone therapy in women with POI?

What is the recommended role for hormone therapy in women with POI?

• A. Symptom relief and bone protection until the average age of natural menopause
• B. Cure POI
• C. Prevent pregnancy indefinitely
• D. Treat hot flashes only for two years

Answer: (A)

In POI, estrogen deficiency drives hot flashes, vaginal symptoms, sleep disturbance, and bone loss risk. Hormone therapy replaces the missing hormones, using estrogen (and progestin if a uterus is present) to relieve menopausal symptoms and to protect bone density and, more broadly, cardiovascular health. The aim is to continue this therapy until the age at which natural menopause would typically occur, then reassess. It’s not a cure for POI, since ovarian function isn’t restored, and it isn’t a strategy to prevent pregnancy indefinitely. Individualized dosing and monitoring are important, with the lowest effective dose chosen and adjusted based on symptoms and risk factors.

In POI, estrogen deficiency drives hot flashes, vaginal symptoms, sleep disturbance, and bone loss risk. Hormone therapy replaces the missing hormones, using estrogen (and progestin if a uterus is present) to relieve menopausal symptoms and to protect bone density and, more broadly, cardiovascular health. The aim is to continue this therapy until the age at which natural menopause would typically occur, then reassess. It’s not a cure for POI, since ovarian function isn’t restored, and it isn’t a strategy to prevent pregnancy indefinitely. Individualized dosing and monitoring are important, with the lowest effective dose chosen and adjusted based on symptoms and risk factors.