Estrogen Therapy Has Been Used For 60 Years

Did you know that estrogen was first offered as a prescription therapy for menopause symptoms 60 years ago?  Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life cycle; yet it often comes with very uncomfortable symptoms.  Not all women suffer with menopause, but some experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal discomfort, to name a few.  In 1949 estrogen in the form of “premarin” was a welcome solution.

In 2002, women were shaken by the publication of a study by the National Institute of Health.  This study found that women receiving a particular form of estrogen/progesterone therapy had an increased risk of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.  Since then there have been four significant changes in our use of estrogen:

  1. We weigh the serious risks against the benefits of estrogen use;
  2. We use lower doses for shorter periods of time;
  3. Our interest in bioidentical hormones has increased; and
  4. More women explore alternative ways to manage symptoms.

Why is Estrogen Therapy Widely Used?

For many women the benefits of estrogen therapy continue to outweigh the risks.  Key benefits of using estrogen are relief or protection from:

  • Hot flashes,
  • Night sweats,
  • Insomnia,
  • Moodiness,
  • Vaginal dryness,
  • Urinary tract infections,
  • Depression,
  • Memory problems,
  • High cholesterol,
  • Osteoporosis, and
  • Colon cancer.

What are the Risks of Estrogen Therapy?

On the negative side of the equation, women have to consider side effects such as breast tenderness, vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, bloating, nausea, headache, moodiness, hair loss and aggravated endometriosis.  There are also serious risks to consider:

  • Blood clots,
  • Stroke,
  • Heart attack,
  • Breast cancer,
  • Increased triglyceride levels,
  • Gallbladder disease,
  • Increased risk of dementia when started at age 65 or over , and
  • Uterine cancer for women with ovaries (An estrogen/progestin combination is a solution).

Are Bioidentical Hormones Safer?

Some women feel safer with bioidentical hormones. These hormones are made from yam or soy and have the same chemical makeup as human estrogen.  Some can be prescribed and are approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration.  Others are unregulated and available over the counter.  Overall, there has not been enough scientific study of bioidentical alternatives for us to know how safe these treatments are.  They may have the same risks as other estrogen medications.

Deciding to Explore Estrogen Therapy

Women with the following medical histories and conditions should not take estrogen:

  • Personal or family history of breast cancer,
  • History of hormone-sensitive cancer,
  • Unexplained uterine bleeding,
  • Liver disease,
  • Blood clots,
  • Cardiovascular disease, and
  • Gallbladder disease.

If you don’t have any of the above conditions and you are very stressed by menopausal symptoms, consider estrogen therapy options.  You may also want to explore lifestyle changes that reduce side effects and enhance the positive effects of medication.

Are you going through menopause and want to stay active, healthy, and feeling like yourself? Don’t wait another minute to relieve menopause symptoms and start a diet plan that works for your life!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/menopause-and-estrogen-therapy-944712.html

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Filed under: How Long Does Menopause Last

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