Estrogen & Progesterone for Menopause

Hormone therapy can help to ease some of the symptoms of menopause, including mood swings and hot flashes. Hormone therapy can have its risks, so your doctor will help you weigh the benefits and the risks before beginning. Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones used in this type of therapy.

Endometrial Cancer

• Any woman going through menopause who still has her uterus (in other words, has not had a hysterectomy) and is taking hormone therapy will need estrogen and progesterone; a woman without a uterus can have estrogen alone. Progesterone can help prevent endometrial cancer, or cancer of the uterine lining.

Timing

• Hormone therapy must be started toward the beginning of menopause to be effective and safe. It should not be taken for a period of more than five years.

Medication Options

• Some women may take estrogen and progesterone orally, as a pill. An option with lower risk of complication is to use a vaginal cream instead of an oral medication.

Side Effects

• Hormone therapy brings risks for other diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cancer. Regular blood tests and pap smears can detect problems early should they arise.

Benefits

• Hormone therapy using estrogen and progesterone can bring relief of many menopausal symptoms. These include hot flahses, night sweats, vaginal dryness, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.