Hormone Replacement Therapy
The decline of estrogen production does not only result variety of menopausal symptoms which greatly affect quality of life of many women all over the world but also greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases which are the cause of death in about one third of women. For that reason women in menopause and especially postmenopause have to take great care for their health and often also need medical treatment to reduces the risk of some diseases and improves the quality of life.
Since the leading cause of all menopausal discomfort and health risks are the low levels of estrogen medical treatment of menopausal symptoms and prevention of health risks bases on estrogen supplementation which is commonly known as hormone replacement therapy. Women are given estrogen (those with uterus in combination with progestins, synthetic progestogens) via tablets, patches or injections. Hormone replacement therapy is traditionally believed to have many benefits including reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attack and dementia, being effective in preventing changes in reproductive organs and urinary tract as well as reducing the risk of osteoporosis. However, recent clinical studies published in last five years did not confirm all mentioned benefits of hormonal replacement therapy including reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Recent clinical studies also shown that efficiency of hormone replacement therapy greatly depends from several factors such as age, general health and lifestyle, and that it can result severe side effects which may prevail over potential benefits: increased risk of breast cancer, venous thrombosis and pulmonary emboli.
The majority of recent informations of benefits and health risk of hormone replacement therapy base of on clinical studies of Premarin and Prempro, medications which were widely used in the USA. Currently there are still no informations of the effects of other hormone replacement therapies using different supplementation, while further clinical studies are also required over effect of different types of hormone replacement therapy (pills, patches, vaginal rings, gels, creams, and injections).