The ageing and expanding of the female population led to the design of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) to examine strategies for the prevention and control of some of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among postmenopausal women. The diseases of old age are cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis and dementia. This review reassesses current strategies to manage postmenopausal health in terms of their risks and benefits. Some commonly used pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions are discussed, including hormone replacement, bisphosphonates, raloxifene, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and hip protectors. It is essential to evaluate critically the findings of all studies and decide whether they are relevant to particular individuals, rather than apply findings generically. Women are now turning to dietary supplements and alternative and complementary therapies, but caution has to be exercised in view of current paucity of evidence.
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