Abstract

Because of improved survival rates in breast cancer, more women are having to face the conseçuences of estrogen depri-vation, be it directly as a result of their treatment or indirectly simply through living longer. The resulting fail in estrodiol levels af-fect various tissues and organs, including the hypothalamic temparature-regulating centre, vagina, skin, vascular endothelium, smooth muscle, and bone. Estrogen replacement therapy (with and without added progestins) is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms in healthy vvomen. Recently, some studies related with hormonaI treatment at menopause were perfor-med; The IA/omen's Health Initiative Study (WHI), The Million Women Study (MWS) and the use of hormone replacement therapy in breast cancer survivors in controversial, and until the results from prospective randomized trials are available, cannot be recommended in this group as a Standard çare. Phytoestrogens are a large family of plant-derived molecules possessing various degrees of estrogen-like activity. There have been several studies performed with phytoestrogen in various aspects of the postmenopausal vvomen health. Antidopaminergic compounds (such as methyidopa and veralipride) and a-adrenergic-receptor agonists (such as clonidine), selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) were used for menopausal hot flashes and preme-nopausal symptoms. Safe and effective non-hormonal treatments for severe menopausal symptoms after breast cancer are ur-gently needed. The management of menopausal symptoms in patients with a history of cancer requires a patient-centred, but multidisciplinary approach.