Estrogen Therapy: Is it Right For You?

As women, we are constantly learning our bodies through the changes we encounter. One of those changes is menopause. Menopause is a normal condition. It’s the time of life when a woman’s ovaries stop producing hormones and menstrual periods stop. This brings me to vaginal atrophy. Which might I add, it’s very common and nothing to be ashamed of. It can affect women that are transitioning into menopause, and for many, vaginal atrophy occurs during the postmenopausal phase. It is thinning, drying, and in some cases, inflammation of the vaginal walls when your body has less estrogen.

What if I told you that there is an FDA-approved treatment, for the relief of vaginal menopausal symptoms and those same treatments could also enhance your everyday quality of life? It’s called estrogen therapy and it could be a treatment option for you.

Understanding Estrogen Therapy

Estrogen therapy is a form of hormone replacement therapy. It is often used to manage and treat menopausal symptoms and urogenital atrophy. How does it work? You take the medication(orally or transdermally/a patch) as directed by your healthcare provider, to replace the estrogen that your body stops making during menopause. Estrogen therapy may also be prescribed as a cream, gel, spray or vaginal ring.

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The Benefits of Estrogen Therapy

The advantages of estrogen therapy extend beyond alleviating vaginal symptoms. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Relief from Vaginal Symptoms: Women often experience discomfort during intercourse, vaginal dryness, burning, itching, and even spotting or bleeding. Estrogen therapy can significantly reduce these symptoms, leading to a more satisfying sexual experience.
2. Alleviation of Urinary Issues: Many women face urinary irritation, which can manifest as frequent urination, incontinence, painful urination, or recurrent urinary tract infections. Estrogen therapy helps strengthen the tissues of the urinary tract, offering relief from these uncomfortable symptoms.
3. Improved Sleep Quality: Hot flashes and night sweats are common complaints during menopause that can disrupt sleep. Estrogen therapy can help alleviate these symptoms, leading to better sleep and overall well-being.
4. Enhanced Mood: Hormonal fluctuations can contribute to mood swings, irritability, and even mild depression. By stabilizing hormone levels, estrogen therapy may help improve mood and emotional balance.
5. Skin Benefits: The decline in estrogen can lead to dry and itchy skin. Estrogen therapy may improve skin hydration and elasticity, leading to healthier-looking skin.
6. Bone Health: One of the significant long-term benefits of estrogen therapy is its ability to prevent bone loss. It protects against osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones, thereby reducing the risk of fractures.

In many cases, side effects are mild and will not require you to stop your estrogen therapy. However, you should always keep your trusted healthcare provider in the loop. It is possible to adjust the dosage and/or form of estrogen therapy.

RELATED: 6 Natural Remedies for Vaginal Atrophy

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Possible Side Effects of Estrogen Therapy

Common side effects may include:

• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches
• Stomach cramps

Now, estrogen therapy (like most medications) comes with both pros and cons and/or risks. It’s imperative to keep in mind that these risks vary based on age, overall health history (this also includes your family history), and the type of therapy you decide to use. 

Increased risks associated with estrogen therapy may include:

• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Gallbladder issues or gallstones

To determine if estrogen therapy is right for you, it’s best to speak with your trusted healthcare provider first. This way, you and your healthcare provider can talk in-depth about your symptoms and the treatment option that uniquely suits you best.