Estrogen Is Key To Post-Menopause Health
Women who are experiencing menopause should consider taking estrogen daily for the rest of their lives. "We used to think hormone replacement therapy was only important for some older women," says Dr. Melissa Edwards, an ob/gyn and menopause specialist with Women's Care. "Now we know that almost every woman benefits from taking estrogen during menopause."
Benefits of taking estrogen for menopausal women include:
Nearly half of the women who receive a prescription for estrogen from their doctor never fill the prescription or don't take the hormones regularly. "There are a lot of myths about estrogen that keep women from using the hormone," says Dr. Edwards. "Many women think estrogen is only needed when the unwanted menopausal symptoms are present. Others fear estrogen causes cancer or weight gain." In truth, for most women the benefits of taking estrogen far outweigh the problems or risks.
Benefits of taking estrogen for menopausal women include:
- Reduced menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbance and anxiety
- Reduced risk of fatal heart attacks
- Decreased bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis
- Improved memory
- Protection against colon cancer
- Decreased tooth loss.
Nearly half of the women who receive a prescription for estrogen from their doctor never fill the prescription or don't take the hormones regularly. "There are a lot of myths about estrogen that keep women from using the hormone," says Dr. Edwards. "Many women think estrogen is only needed when the unwanted menopausal symptoms are present. Others fear estrogen causes cancer or weight gain." In truth, for most women the benefits of taking estrogen far outweigh the problems or risks.
