In postmenopausal women, estrogens, taken with or without a progestin, increase the risk of
cancer of the breast/ovaries, stroke, dementia, and serious blood clots
. When used along with a progestin, estrogens also increase the risk of heart disease (such as heart attacks).
What are the side effects of taking estrogen?
- bloating.
- breast tenderness or swelling.
- swelling in other parts of the body.
- feeling sick.
- leg cramps.
- headaches.
- indigestion.
- vaginal bleeding.
What are the benefits of taking estrogen?
Estrogen therapy can
relieve the symptoms of menpause like hot flashes, bone loss and painful intercourse
. Estrogen therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy, is a treatment for alleviating the symptoms caused by menopausal transition (when a woman’s ovaries reduce or stop producing estrogen and progesterone).
What happens when you start taking estrogen?
Overall, you
may gain or lose weight
once you begin hormone therapy, depending on your diet, lifestyle, genetics and muscle mass. Your eyes and face will begin to develop a more feminine appearance as the fat under the skin increases and shifts.
Is it dangerous to take estrogen?
The health risks of HRT include:
Increased risk of endometrial cancer
(only when estrogen is taken without progestin) For women who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), this is not a problem. Increased risk of breast cancer with long-term use. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease (including heart attack …
What happens if you have no estrogen?
Symptoms can linger for a lifetime. And the continued low estrogen levels lead to more serious health concerns. The rate of
bone loss speeds up
, increasing your risk of low bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis. You also have a higher chance of having a heart attack, stroke or other heart-related issues.
At what age should a woman stop taking estrogen?
On the other hand, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says: “Because some women aged
65 years and older
may continue to need systemic hormone therapy for the management of vasomotor symptoms, the ACOG recommends against routine discontinuation of systemic estrogen at age 65 years.
Does estrogen make your breasts grow bigger?
The hormone estrogen, if taken in high enough doses,
increases breast size by stimulating growth of breast tissue
.
Does estrogen make you gain weight?
One form of estrogen called estradiol decreases at menopause. This hormone helps to regulate metabolism and body weight.
Lower levels of estradiol may lead to weight gain
. Throughout their life, women may notice weight gain around their hips and thighs.
Does more estrogen make you more emotional?
Estrogen acts everywhere in the body, including the parts of the brain that control emotion. Some of estrogen’s effects include: Increasing
serotonin
, and the number of serotonin receptors in the brain. Modifying the production and the effects of endorphins, the “feel-good” chemicals in the brain.
Do doctors still prescribe estrogen?
Doctors typically prescribe estrogen-only medication to women who have had a hysterectomy but still have their ovaries
. Women who have not had a hysterectomy usually receive a combination estrogen-progesterone medicine. That’s because estrogen-only treatments increase a woman’s risk of endometrial cancer.
Why do doctors prescribe estrogen?
Estrogen
can ease vaginal symptoms of menopause
, such as dryness, itching, burning and discomfort with intercourse. Need to prevent bone loss or fractures. Systemic estrogen helps protect against the bone-thinning disease called osteoporosis.
Does estrogen thicken hair?
These hormones also help with hair growth. Estrogen and progesterone can
help keep
your hair in the growing (anagen) phase. Therefore, these hormones can help your hair stay on your head longer and may even help your hair grow faster.
Will estrogen help me lose weight?
In animal studies, estrogen appears to help
control body weight
. With lower estrogen levels, lab animals tend to eat more and be less physically active. Reduced estrogen may also lower metabolic rate, the rate at which the body converts stored energy into working energy.
What are the symptoms of estrogen deficiency?
- painful sex due to a lack of vaginal lubrication.
- an increase in urinary tract infection (UTIs) due to a thinning of the urethra.
- irregular or absent periods.
- shifts in mood.
- hot flashes.
- breast tenderness.
- headaches or accentuation of pre-existing migraines.
- depression.
Can I get over the counter estrogen?
Estradiol medications, including estradiol 2 mg tablets and ethinyl estradiol vaginal creams, are prescription medications in the United States. As such,
one cannot just buy
estradiol online or get estradiol OTC at a pharmacy. Instead, the first step is getting a prescription from a medical provider.
