FEMALE REPLACEMENT HORMONES
If the symptoms that you experienced during menopause were severe, perhaps you were given female replacement hormones (estrogen). It may be years since you started taking these pills which probably improved your physical and mental health enormously. There have been some suggestions lately, however, that prolonged use of these hormones may increase the chance of uterine cancer. Recent studies suggest that the risks are in fact extremely small. Some physicians believe that by adding a second female hormone (progesterone) to the original hormone, the risk decreases and perhaps there is even a positive benefit.
There may be a number of other positive aspects to the long-term use of female hormones during postmenopausal years. Strong evidence suggests that their use means your bones may not weaken as quickly, your skin may maintain its elasticity and tone, and your vagina will not be as prone to infection, dryness, and itching. This may also make intercourse less likely to be uncomfortable. Some women cannot tolerate the hormones because of bloating, weight gain, nausea, and vaginal bleeding, but most do not experience these side effects.
Because hormone treatment is still controversial, some physicians recommend that women should try to reduce the amount they take and then discontinue it altogether. Many physicians recommend that women continue to take estrogen and progesterone on a continuous basis after the menopause to prevent osteoporosis (weaking of bones). The drugs should be taken in cycles, with “rest” periods between medication, rather than on a continuous basis (usually three weeks “on” and one week “off”). A gynecological exam and supervision of drug dosages every six to twelve months are important if you take these hormone medications.
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