Estrogen is a hormone that is present in both men and women. Women have higher concentrations of estrogen during childbearing years. Then during menopause, or following some forms of hysterectomy, estrogen production falls. Estrogen replacement therapy can be used to reduce menopausal symptoms and to control certain conditions associated with aging in women. Estrogen is also used to treat some conditions in men.
Hot Flashes
While hormonal changes during menopause can cause many different symptoms, according the Physician's Desk Reference, estrogen replacement therapy is only indicated for the treatment of menopausal symptoms that include moderate to severe hot flashes, flushing or night sweats.
Vaginal Changes
After menopause, vaginal changes can make intercourse difficult or painful, cause constant itching and result in persistent discomfort from dryness. Therapeutic use of topical estrogen, reports the Mayo Clinic, can increase vaginal secretion production and improve circulation to vulvar tissues.
Breast Cancer
Estrogen is linked with breast cancer tumor growth but in certain metastatic breast cancers, estrogen can actually stop or reduce tumor sizes, according to Health.com. In these cases, previous treatments blocked estrogen but eventually became ineffective, causing the tumors to then become sensitive to the estrogen. In other cases, estrogen has been shown to provide palliative care for untreatable, metastatic breast cancer. The Physician's Desk Reference notes that this allows physicians to provide something beyond chemotherapy to improve quality of life.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs when bone density thins, increasing the risk for broken bones. In women, the sudden decrease in estrogen that occurs during menopause is one contributing factor to osteoporosis. According to both the Physician's Desk Reference and the National Osteoporosis Foundation, women who have other risk factors or have lost significant bone density may benefit from estrogen replacement therapy.
Prostate
As with breast cancer, estrogen is related to prostate cancer tumor growth. However, prostate cancer that is spreading and unresponsive to other treatments may respond to estrogen therapy. As indicated in the Physician's Desk Reference, patients who cannot undergo chemotherapy may be placed on estrogen as a form of palliative care.
Hormonal Balance
In some cases, hormonal levels are imbalanced due to a dysfunction of hormone secreting glands, ovarian failure, some hysterectomies or castration. According to the Physician's Desk Reference, estrogen replacement therapy is initiated under these conditions to keep hormonal levels in balance.
References
- Physicians' Desk Reference; PDR Staff; 2008
- Mayo Clinic: Hormone Therapy
- National Osteoporosis Foundation: Hormones & Healthy Bones
- Health.com: Breast Cancer
- Mayo Clinic: Estrogen
