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The estrogen pill, prescribed by a woman's doctor to treat the symptoms of menopause, comes with some risks. Although the medication effectively controls hot flashes, heart palpitations and the erratic sleep problems experienced by some women at the end of their childbearing years, recent studies indicate that doctors should limit the duration and the dosage of estrogen.
Estrogen and various lipids (fats) in the body are closely related. The risks of high triglycerides and estrogen pills combined are an increased chance of coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, metabolic disorder, and cardiovascular disease in general. While estrogen helps with the levels of the good and bad cholesterol, it also boosts the amount of triglycerides, and this is hazardous to ones health.
Since the Women's Health Initiative study published in 2002 showed a marked increase in the risk for breast cancer, blood clots, and deep vein thrombosis for women undergoing hormone replacement therapy, many women are taking a second look at their options.
Estrogen levels mark a significant biological difference between men and women. In women, estrogen is the dominant hormone, whereas in men it is secondary to testosterone. Although taking pills to stop estrogen production may at first seem like a strange medical regiment for a woman, recent research has shown that it may help prevent certain kinds of cancer in postmenopausal women.
Estrogen is a steroid that naturally occurs in both men and women. It has been used to treat symptoms of post-menopausal women and in hormone replacement therapy in transwomen. It can be used alone or in combination with progesterone. There are pills, patches and creams that supply estrogen to the body. The most common form of oral estrogen used is called Premarin. While there can be benefits to taking estrogen, there can also be health concerns as well. It is always best to carefully weigh all of your options and get as much information as you can before making a…
