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LOW ESTROGEN
- In perimenopause,
your doctor might suggest birth control pills. These will provide
birth control, make your periods more regular, and lower your chance
of cancer of the uterus and ovaries. It may also help with symptoms
like hot flashes. However, the pill hides the arrival of menopause.
When you think you might have reached menopause, you could stop taking
the pill for several months to see if you still have a regular period.
- Once you have
reached menopause, your doctor might suggest estrogen and progesterone,
known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT. For women without a uterus,
the doctor will recommend estrogen alone. This is called estrogen
replacement therapy or ERT. The hormones are usually taken as pills,
but can be given as skin patches, creams, or vaginal inserts, depending
on a woman’s particular needs.
- Taking hormones
for a short time (less than 5 years) may help relieve any symptoms
of menopause. Taking HRT/ERT for more than 5 years will also help
delay osteoporosis and may protect against heart disease. It should
improve your cholesterol levels and may also help your memory.
- However, there
are side effects and possibly health risks. This is particularly true
if you have liver problems, high levels of triglycerides (a type of
fat in the blood), or a history of blood clots. Blood clots and an
increase in your chance of developing breast cancer are two risks
of HRT/ERT.
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