The hormone estrogen aids in numerous functions in the female body. It enables ovulation and the ability to conceive, helps maintain female features in the body and guards against osteoporosis and other physical ailments, such as heart attack. Menopause is a physical change in women that significantly drops their estrogen levels. When this happens, the benefits of estrogen can become more glaring.
Osteoporosis Prevention
According to the Mayo Clinic, estrogen either produced naturally or absorbed through hormone therapy can help prevent bone loss that is likely to occur after menopause. This can also decrease the risk of hip fractures related to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can still be prevented through a high-calcium diet--particularly the kind maintained for years prior to menopause--but estrogen is the trigger for rapid bone loss in many women.
Improved Heart Health
Estrogen hormone therapy has been used for years to help improve heart health and cardiovascular conditions, according to MedicalNewsToday.com. Various clinical studies have had mixed results because the tests feature different criteria for testing and consequently yield different results. However, the Mayo Clinic has advised that hormone therapy remain an option. Researchers at the University of Southern California suggest you start estrogen therapy within six years of menopause and stay on it for at least 10 years. The longer you wait after menopause before starting estrogen therapy, the less of a benefit you will experience. The Mayo Clinic also reports that a clinical trial was under way in 2010 that explores the benefits of estrogen use on preventing heart disease in younger, postmenopausal women.
Reproductive Purposes
Estrogen is essential to a woman's ability to reproduce. Without estrogen, the uterus cannot enlarge to take on and adapt to a growing baby. The Mayo Clinic reports that can also help lower the risk of certain cancers, including breast and colon cancer. Estrogen also helps regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation.
