Introduction

Estrogen receptors are present in many areas of the body, and the decline in estrogen during the menopausal transition results in a variety of physiological changes. Effects can range from short-term discomfort (hot flashes, sleep disturbance) to long-term effects that can have considerable health implications (vaginal and urinary tract changes, lipid changes and cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and central nervous system (CNS) changes).