Estrogen Replacement
Women undergo many health and body changes after menopause. The primary change is that their ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. For many women, the decrease in estrogen produces unpleasant side effects, such as hot flashes. Taking replacement estrogen is one form of therapy to counteract these symptoms. And the added estrogen also can have positive effects on blood sugar levels.
Estrogen and blood sugar
A 2002 study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed that women on estrogen therapy have better blood sugar levels than those who do not take the hormone replacement. Controlling blood sugar is important, because high levels are linked to the onset of type 2 diabetes. That disease, in turn, can lead to blindness, heart failure and kidney problems. Of note: All the women in the study had heart disease, and those on hormones were prescribed 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogen plus 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate.
The Study
The study examined 2,763 women over a four-year period. It measured blood-sugar levels at the start of the study, at the one-year mark and at the four-year mark. The study found that 6.2 percent of women taking estrogen therapy developed type 2 diabetes while 9.2 percent of women taking a placebo developed the disease. According to the research, one woman out of every 30 who takes estrogen replacement therapy will not develop type 2 diabetes.
Other Estrogen Effects
Studies have shown that post-menopausal hormone therapy can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and osteoporosis for women, but it also can increase their risk of heart attack and breast cancer.
