Endometriosis and menopausal health: аn European Menopause and Andropause Society clinical guide – 2025

Endometriosis and menopausal health: аn European Menopause and Andropause Society clinical guide – 2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18370/2309-4117.2026.82.105-114Keywords: endometriosis, menopause, osteoporosis, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, hormone therapy, malignancyAbstract Introduction. Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition, and problems may persist or develop after the menopause. Endometriosis or its treatment in premenopausal women may lead to premature or early menopause. Thus, it is imperative that healthcare providers are appropriately trained in management of endometriosis at the menopause and beyond. Aim: to provide an evidence-based clinical guide for the assessment and management of menopausal health in women with a history of endometriosis. Materials and methods. Review of the literature and consensus of expert opinion. Summary recommendations. Surgery is the preferred option for managing symptomatic endometriosis after the menopause, as it should reduce pain, ensure an accurate diagnosis, and decrease risk of malignancy. Women with endometriosis may experience a spontaneous early menopause or surgically induced menopause. Endometriosis is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, ovarian, breast, and thyroid cancers, as well as osteoporosis. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is indicated for managing vasomotor and genitourinary symptoms and maintaining bone health. Continuous combined MHT may be safer than other forms in both hysterectomized and non-hysterectomized women with endometriosis as the risk of recurrence and malignant transformation of residual endometriosis may be reduced. Estrogen-only MHT should be avoided, even for women who have had a hysterectomy. For women not using MHT, alternative pharmacological treatments, such as neurokinin-3 receptor antagonists, should be considered for managing vasomotor symptoms. Additionally, antiresorptive and anabolic therapies, along with calcium and vitamin D supplementation, should be provided as indicated to ensure skeletal protection. If endometriosis recurs during MHT use and the patient is symptomatic, several management strategies may be employed: altering the regimen, discontinuation, and use of non-hormonal strategies. Herbal preparations should be avoided as their efficacy is uncertain and some may contain estrogenic compounds. Downloads Published How to Cite Issue Section License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms: - Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. - Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.