THE EFFICACY OF HORMONAL THERAPY IN EARLY MENOPAUSE

Background: Early menopause, defined as the cessation of menstruation before the age of 45, is associated with an increased risk of vasomotor symptoms, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Hormonal therapy (HT) is the cornerstone of management, yet localized data regarding its efficacy and safety among Pakistani women remain limited. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of hormonal therapy in the management of early menopause among women treated at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted over six months involving 73 women aged 40–45 years diagnosed with early menopause. Participants were prescribed either estrogen therapy (ET) or combined estrogen-progestin therapy (EPT) and monitored at 1, 3, and 6 months. Primary outcomes included symptom severity (Menopause Rating Scale), quality of life (Menopause-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire), bone mineral density (DEXA), lipid profiles, and therapy adherence. Data were analyzed using SPSS v21.0 with significance set at p≤0.05. Results: At baseline, 42.5% of participants had severe symptoms, which decreased to 4.1% at six months. Mean MenQOL scores improved from 4.2 to 1.6. BMD improved from –2.1 to –1.8, while total cholesterol and LDL levels reduced by 21 and 18 mg/dL respectively. EPT showed slightly greater symptom relief compared to ET. Adherence exceeded 90% in most participants, with only mild, self-limiting adverse effects reported. Conclusion: Hormonal therapy significantly improved menopausal symptoms, quality of life, and early indicators of bone and cardiovascular health in women with early menopause. It remains a safe and effective intervention when individualized and initiated appropriately.