What are the future research directions for treatment of menopause-related symptoms and conditions?
Although many trials of several types of interventions have been published, results are consistent and conclusive only for estrogen agents for the treatment of vasomotor and urogenital symptoms. Despite this evidence, many questions remain about the benefits and adverse effects of estrogen for treating menopause related symptoms long-term. For nonestrogen therapies, larger, more rigorous, and more comprehensive trials are needed in order to determine benefits and adverse effects. Funding for nonindustry sponsored trials would enable trials of non drug therapies, including head-to-head trials comparing several types of drug and non drug interventions. Future research should include: • Determination of optimally effective doses, combination regimens, durations of use, and timing of therapy. • Evaluation of approaches to identify optimal candidates for specific therapies (e.g., identification of thrombophilias). • Head-to-head and placebo comparisons of estrogen alone and combined with ot
