Estrogen Replacement Therapy – Estrogen Therapy …

What is estrogen replacement therapy?

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women use ERT to help control the symptoms of menopause. Menopause is the stage in a womans life when sex hormone levels fall and her menstrual period stops.

Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, vaginal dryness, mood swings, anxiety, decreased sexual desire, fatigue, and headaches. Menopause can also cause thinning bones (osteoporosis).

The two main sex hormones that a womans body makes are estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone is primarily produced by the ovaries and, in pregnant women, the placenta. The ovaries produce estrogen. Estrogen is responsible for the female sexual characteristics. It is also important for many body processes, such as maintaining a healthy heart and bones.

A woman who has had her uterus removed by hysterectomy may receive estrogen alone for HRT. A menopausal woman who wants to minimize symptoms of menopause with HRT and still has her uterus must receive progesterone in addition to estrogen. Progesterone signals the uterus to shed its lining similar to a menstrual period. This decreases the risk of developing uterine cancer.

ERT is only one method to treat the symptoms of menopause. Discuss all of your treatment options with your doctor or healthcare provider to understand which options are right for you.

Types of ERT

Estrogen is given in different forms, depending your individual symptoms and circumstances. The types of ERT approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include:

Other products

A variety of alternative products are available to treat menopause symptoms. It is important to know how these products differ from FDA-approved ERT and HRT.

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Estrogen Replacement Therapy - Estrogen Therapy ...