Estrogen replacement therapy may sometimes also include the use of progestins. This is because Estrogen replacement therapy helps to replace the hormones which the ovaries no longer produce. This is done either through natural or surgical menopause. It helps to provide relief from the unpleasant symptoms of menopause which include hot flashes and night sweats.
The use of estrogen use begins in the early menopausal period. It tends to continue late into life. It is associated with the protection of bone density. Thus, beginning Estrogen replacement therapy after reaching the age of 60 does offer nearly equal bone protection.
The most common form of estrogen prescribed under the Estrogen replacement therapy is not currently available in a generic form. Other types of estrogen which are available include the patch as well as estrogens which are made of singular estrogens rather than the triple estrogen of the conjugated estrogens. Some women tend to find relief from menopausal symptoms with the help of herbal remedies like Black Cohosh, which help to reduce the symptoms of menopause.
The use of conjugated estrogens is associated with significant reduction in the occurrence of heart disease as well as osteoporosis. Many women tend to reject the use of Estrogen replacement therapy on principle. This is because they dislike the idea of using a synthetic hormone which tends to disrupt the natural development of the body.
Studies have concluded that the benefit of Estrogen replacement therapy in reducing the chance of heart disease appears to far outweigh the risk of breast cancer for almost all women. Thus, this study supports the wide- spread use of the Estrogen replacement therapy.
Also, plausible biological mechanisms exist by which Estrogen replacement therapy can lead to improved cognition, besides a reduced risk of dementia, as well as an improvement in the severity of dementia.