Estrogen Replacement Therapy Pros and Cons
When a woman is approaching her fifties, she often starts to consider the estrogen replacement therapy pros and cons, especially when symptoms of menopause start to interfere with her ability to carry on her day to day responsibilities. Whether standing up in front of a room of influential executives making a million dollar pitch or coaching little league, finding oneself dripping in sweat in the middle of a raging hot flash is never welcome.
However, is estrogen therapy the right choice?
Conflicting reports have women smack dab in the middle of one of the most heated medical debates of our times. The more you know about the pros and cons of estrogen therapy, the better equipped you will be to make a decision that is best for your personal needs.
On one hand, low hormone levels can lead to early death from heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, dementia, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. On the other hand, some forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can lead to breast cancer, heart attack, blood clots, stroke, and other serious health conditions.
By equipping yourself with the estrogen pros and cons, and speaking with an experienced HRT doctor that specializes in treating aging adults with declining hormone levels, the best choice can be made with confidence. Our goal at Kingsberg Medical is to present you with the information you need to make this choice. That is why we offer complimentary consultations to men and women concerned about low hormone levels.
Pros of Using Estrogen Therapy
Estrogen therapy does have many benefits for both women and men. Although men will not be prescribed estrogen replacement as frequently as women, there are times when this hormone is at dangerously low levels, subjecting a male to higher risks of osteoporosis, dementia, and other concerns. While Low T is typically the hormone deficiency faced by men, knowing the estrogen replacement therapy pros and cons in case the situation is reversed is crucial.
Women are, by far, the biggest users of estrogen hormone replacement. This treatment is often considered essential by gynecologists following a hysterectomy. Reports of increased cardiovascular risks are more concerning for older women in their sixties using estrogen HRT, especially when combined with progestin. Those females who begin estrogen-only treatment soon after entering menopause do not have the same elevated risk factors.
In fact, the actual estradiol pros and cons show that menopausal women who receive this form of HRT will have fewer incidences of colon cancer and hip fractures. Of course, the other benefits of estrogen replacement include:
- Fewer, less severe hot flashes
- Reduction in night sweats
- Weight loss
- Sharper memory and cognitive functions
- Stronger bones
- Improved mood
- Better sex
There are good reasons to consider using estrogen replacement if the symptoms of menopause are getting in the way of your life enjoyment. Other types of treatment are also available and discussed in the final section of this report.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy Cons
There is a fear that arises when discussing the estrogen replacement pros and cons when a woman reaches menopause and begins to experience adverse effects of this condition. As annoying as those hot flashes may be, many females choose to deal with them rather than take a chance that the increased risks of heart attack, blood clots, breast cancer, stroke, or uterine cancer could occur.
These risks are elevated, although the overall chance is not as significant as many believe it to be. Any medical treatment, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal supplementation carries risks. So do breathing the air, drinking water, eating food, riding in a car – living life. That is why it is crucial to weigh the estrogen therapy pros and cons when making this determination.
Ultimately, an experienced HRT specialist can offer the best guidance. Any woman who is at a higher risk of developing any of these adverse effects, based either on her own life or family history, should be directed towards a different type of hormone therapy. We will examine these options next.
Alternatives to Estrogen Therapy
Thankfully, there are alternatives to the worry that comes from examining the pros and cons of estrogen replacement therapy. This is not the only choice available to women dealing with menopause. The most important thing to point out is that blood analysis must be performed before any hormone replacement is prescribed. This is the only way for a doctor to know precisely which hormone or hormones in the body have fallen below their ideal levels, and to what extent this deficiency is present.
Since the ovaries also produce progesterone and testosterone, these are likely going to be at risk for deficient levels, as well. In fact, treatment with natural progesterone or testosterone therapy is considered to be a much safer and often more effective option for women. That is where blood analysis will guide the HRT specialist to creating the ideal treatment protocol for each female.
There are also times when the doctor will determine that it is an entirely different chemical deficiency that is causing all of the problems and symptoms that are present. Growth hormone deficiency in adults may be the issue, and if so, is easily treated with HGH therapy.
Now that you understand a bit more about the estrogen pros and cons of taking this form of treatment, you may be wondering what option is best for you. This is the time to contact Kingsberg Medical to discuss your personal situation during a complimentary and confidential consultation. We have affordable hormone replacement therapy options for women and men.
Brian Leeber
