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