05.02.2025.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 1.2 billion women worldwide are expected to be menopausal or post-menopausal by 2030.
- Advancements in personalised medicine, bioidentical hormones, and delivery systems have been making Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) safer and more effective.
- The importance of HRT in enhancing quality of life was a central topic at the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Conference, which took place at Arab Health 2025 on 27–28 January.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has the potential to transform women’s health over the next 50 years, helping them age with vitality and resilience.
This key message was conveyed during the opening day of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Conference at Arab Health 2025.
Experts gathered to discuss how advancements in HRT could address the unique healthcare needs of millions of women in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Middle East region.
The 17th edition of the Obstetrics & Gynaecology Conference, themed ‘Fast Forward 50: ObGyn Evolution: Celebrating 50 Years of Progress and Future Innovations,’ reflected on five decades of advancements in women’s healthcare while looking ahead to the next wave of transformative innovations.
As women in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia experienced increased life expectancy—averaging 82 years in the UAE and approximately 79.5 years in Saudi Arabia, according to World Bank data—this demographic shift underscored the growing importance of effective menopause management for long-term health and well-being.
Speaking at the conference, Sadia Malick, Consultant Gynaecologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh, stated:
“Focusing on HRT can lead to a better quality of life for ageing women, allowing them to remain active and healthy for longer. Moreover, advances in personalised medicine and a deeper understanding of individual hormone needs mean that HRT can be tailored to each woman’s unique circumstances. Healthcare providers must prioritise HRT to ensure that women receive the most appropriate and effective treatments, leading to broader societal benefits such as reduced healthcare costs and enhanced productivity.”
HRT has evolved from high doses of estrogen to incorporating lower doses and combining estrogen with progesterone to mitigate associated risks. This transition has led to the development of safer, low-dose treatments.
Modern HRT options, including tablets, patches, and gels, allow for more personalised treatment plans. Recent advancements also emphasise the use of bioidentical hormones, which provide more natural and effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Speaking at the conference, Malick added:
“Looking forward, genetic research and personalised medicine advancements will likely lead to even more tailored HRT regimens. Innovations such as hormone-specific delivery systems and improved formulations will enhance the efficacy and safety of HRT. Additionally, ongoing research into the long-term effects of HRT will continue to refine guidelines and recommendations.”
