Estrogen Therapy Remedies for Estrogen deficiency symptoms

With the onset of menopause, the hormones called estrogen starts reducing in women This causes lots of physical problems such as heart diseases , osteoporosis etc in women. Thus estrogen replacement therapy could be an answer for this. But how effective is the therapy? Read more.This article covers

Estrogen replacement therapy
The physiology of estrogen
Three forms of estrogen
The functions of estrogen
Symptoms of estrogen deficiency
Estrogen supplements and its administrative methods

Estrogen replacement therapy is the mainstay of the hormone replacement therapy. Estrogen replacement therapy again could be a natural estrogen replacement therapy or a synthetic one. 50 years ago when the life expectancy was just 62 years the period of about 12 years following menopause was insufficient for the estrogen deficiency to produce relevant symptoms. But today the life expectancy of women is above 80 years and she lives through a period of 30 years after menopause with sym ptoms of estrogen deficiency. So obviously estrogen replacement therapy is the need of the hour.

The Physiology of Estrogen

Estrogens are female sex hormones secreted by

Ovaries which are the main source
Adrenal glands which are the secondary source
Placenta which is formed during pregnancy

There are three forms of estrogen which have hormonal effects. They are

Estradiol
Estrone
Estriol

The hormone normally secreted will be in the estradiol form. This is metabolized in the liver in to estriol and estrone forms which are excreted in the urine. These excreted forms are used to assess the estrogen levels during investigations for various diseases. The functions of estrogen are

Feminization and development of secondary sexual characteristics.
For normal menstrual cycle. It is essential for the first half of the menstrual cycle during which there is proliferation of the uterine tissue. By doing this it helps the uterus to get ready for pregnancy.
Development of breast tissues
Calcification of the bone. It thus prevents osteoporosis
Water and salt retention in the body

There is decrease in the blood levels of estrogen in the following conditions.

Menopause
After surgical removal of ovaries
After destruction of ovaries by diseases, drugs and irradiation
Primary ovarian failure due to deficiency of pituitary hormones

Symptoms of Estrogen Deficiency

The symptoms of estrogen deficiency are

Vasomotor symptoms

Hot flushes
Night sweats
Palpitations

Degeneration of tissues

Thin skin
Vaginal dryness
Pain during sexual act
Bleeding from the vagina
Urinary infections

Psychological

Depression
Loss of concentration
Irritability
Decreased sexual desire
Sleeplessness

Osteoporosis

where there is decreased bone calcium and density.

Heart diseases

Hot Flushes- This is the commonest symptom of estrogen deficiency. It consists of heat radiation and reddening of the skin of head and neck lasting for a few minutes which is followed by sweating. This is usually precipitated by activities like

Sleeping
Household work
Eating hot foods, hot drinks or alcohol

Estrogen Therapy

Estrogen replacement therapy was started in 1960 for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Estrogen replacement therapy is usually indicated in the following situations.

After menopause even without symptoms
Around menopause to prevent the osteoporosis and to protect the heart
After surgical removal of ovaries
For Primary ovarian failure
As oral contraceptive pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy
For the treatment of prostate cancer

The therapy was showing beneficial results. More over it also improved the physical appearance, improved the sense of well being, increased the sexual drive and also protected the heart. So people started taking it to remain young.

Everything came to a grinding halt in 1975 when endometrial and breast cancer was reported in persons undergoing estrogen hormone replacement therapy.

Continue to : Estrogen Supplements and Its Administrative Methods

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