Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, used to be standard therapy in postmenopausal women to reduce menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk by the replacement of estrogen and progesterone. Subsequent studies demonstrated, however, that the risks of synthetic estrogen therapy outweighed the benefits. Such risks, according to MedlinePlus, include blood clot formation, heart attacks, strokes and gallbladder disease, as well as breast and ovarian cancer. HRT, estrogen alone or in combination with progesterone or testosterone are beneficial in some patients.
Alleviating Menopausal Symptoms
MayoClinic.com says menopausal symptoms can be debilitating. They include hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, dryness of the vaginal tissues, moodiness and insomnia. Estrogen is effective in alleviating most of these symptoms. It must be used in combination with progestin, a synthetic progesterone, in postmenopausal women if the uterus is still present. An increased risk of uterine cancer is seen in women taking estrogen alone.
Fights Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, according to MedlinePlus, is the most common form of bone disorder. More than half of women older than 50 experience a fracture of the hip, wrist or back as a result of osteoporosis. HRT has been demonstrated to promote stronger bones; however, it is recommended to be used only if other measures such as lifestyle changes and the use of calcium, vitamin D and other drugs are ineffective or not tolerated.
Less Chance of Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the United States in men and women. The National Cancer Institute reports that menopausal women who take a combination of estrogen and progestin have an estimated 37 percent reduction in the risk of colon cancer, based on large clinical trials. This benefit is not seen when taking estrogen alone.
Fights Cardiovascular Disease
The effect of HRT on cardiovascular disease remains controversial. Clinical trials have demonstrated an increased risk of cardiovascular events in women after age 60. Recent evidence suggests that taking estrogen and progestin early after the onset of menopause has a benefit of decreasing heart attacks and strokes, according to MayoClinic.com. When menopausal symptoms are intolerable and no contraindication to HRT use is present, health care providers may recommend HRT early in menopause to relieve symptoms and possibly decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Warnings
HRT therapy may be beneficial in many women; however, there are several contraindications to the use of synthetic hormones. These include women with a history of breast cancer, underlying heart disease or previous blood clots. Before taking any kind of estrogen-related compounds, including alternative medicines, consult a health care provider.
