Hormone Replacement Therapy
As you age, your body slowly ceases to produce estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that thicken the uterus to prepare it for the implantation of a fertilized egg. These hormones also protect the body from developing uterine cancer and osteoporosis. The decrease of these hormone levels is also responsible for many of the symptoms of menopause.
As these hormones are valuable to women's health, many women choose to replace them synthetically through a pill, patch or cream to retain the benefits produced through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Estrogen, by itself, helps relieve menopause symptoms and prevent osteoporosis. When combined with progesterone, the therapy allows for the uterine lining shedding each month without the regular bleeding. While there are risks associated with HRT, it is important to take the lowest dosage possible re-evaluating your therapy annually. Your doctor can help you decide which type of HRT, if any, is right for you.