Estrogen Replacement Therapy: The Anti-Aging Role For Women
Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most commonly prescribed treatments in the United States, designed to replace estrogen, the hormone that decreases with age. Researchers developed the concept of hormone replacement therapy (“HRT”) in the mid-1960s, and HRT has been used to ease symptoms of menopause, protecting against menopause-related health risks.
Although millions of women undergo HRT treatment, this may not be the only choice for everyone. Health care professionals have advised women to research and learn as much information as they can in considering the personal benefits and risks. Estrogen and progesterone are produced naturally by the ovaries until the start of menopause, when production gradually reduces, eventually stopping. Both these hormones are necessary for the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Estrogen has many other important roles in the body as well. Millions of women throughout the world undergo hormone replacement therapy to ease the symptoms of menopause and to protect against menopause-related health risks such as osteoporosis.
Not every woman experiences bothersome symptoms of menopause. But in women who do, hormone replacement therapy may ease these symptoms.
Hormone replacement therapy may help protect women against osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones. Major studies have reported that women who take estrogen after menopause experience fewer bone fractures than women who do not. Hormone replacement therapy has been available in the form of tablets, implants, skin patches, and creams. Benefits of hormone replacement therapy may often include the control of menopausal symptoms, prevention of heart disease, osteoporosis prevention, and the prevention of hard to detect cancers.
The symptoms that can result from decreased estrogen production have been well documented over the year.
In the United States, heart disease is the number-one killer of men and women. Prior to menopause, a woman has a reduced chance for heart disease than a man does, but after menopause, a woman’s risk begins to increase toward that of a man’s.
Changes in estrogen levels after menopause may be accompanied by changes in lipid levels in the blood, especially with various types of cholesterol. Changes are considered to be definitive factors in the increased incidence of heart attacks and atherosclerosis, also known as “hardening of the arteries.” Hormone replacement therapy may be able to correct these unfavorable lipid changes.
There are various studies that have shown hormone replacement therapy may even be a protective measure against osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, accounting for most of the hip and knee replacement operations in the elderly. As with osteoporosis prevention, HRT must be taken for many years to continue this protective effect. Extensive research has shown hormone replacement therapy may have additional benefits for women after menopause.
Memory loss and mental function- Estrogen may protect against some memory loss and improved learning, even in some Alzheimer’s disease patients.
Colorectal cancer- some Studies have pointed to a decreased risk in colorectal cancer in women who take HRT.
Diabetes- HRT may help women with diabetes control blood sugar levels better after menopause.
Urinary tract infections- Women may experience an increase in urinary tract infections during menopause; the use of estrogen may help the body resist infection.
Teeth- Estrogen therapy patients are less likely to lose their teeth, because the same properties that help prevent bone loss apply to preventing bone loss in the mouth.
Vision- There is evidence that HRT may prevent glaucoma and macular degeneration, two common causes of blindness.
Work with your specialist to understand more about HRT. It may be an option for you if you suffer from the innumerable symptoms that HRT can alleviate. It is important to be open with your physician about all your health related conditions- so that you can determine the right course of treatment for you.
