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What is Estrogen
Have you ever wondered what is estrogen and why doctors pay so much attention to its levels in the female body? Estrogen is one of the most important hormones since it has a very important role to play in affecting a woman’s health. This is the main sex hormone in a woman’s body and reproduction is all but impossible without it. Its role in a person’s health which extends far beyond the reproductive system. As a result, the levels of estrogen in a woman’s body are an indicator of her overall health. It is essential to maintaining the levels of good cholesterol in a woman’s body and reducing the amount of bad cholesterol there is. ItThe presence of this hormone in the body is necessary for the menstrual cycle to take place properly and this is the cornerstone of female fertility. It also thickens the endometrium, thereby making the uterus ready for pregnancy in case the eggs manage to be fertilized. It is mostly manufactured in the ovaries although other organs such as the breasts, liver as well as adrenal glands also produce it in minor quantities. Low levels of estrogen happen once a woman reaches menopause. This can be quite a difficult time for women because of all the changes that are wrought on her body because of the reduction in estrogen levels. The reduction in bone density is the most dangerous effect of this condition but there are other side effects that are more uncomfortable. These include vaginal dryness, hot flashes, irritability and mood swings. Sexual intercourse and even urination can become painful as a result of this vaginal dryness and women report a reduction in their desire for sex. Women also suffer from skin problems as well as reduced memory during this time of their lives. Estrogen and progesterone are the two important sex hormones that have to be present in the required amounts for the body to function properly. The balance between these two hormones is a very delicate one and has to be maintained correctly at all times. Once women understand exactly what estrogen is and why it is so necessary they look for ways to reduce the intensity of the symptoms and the severity of the discomfort they experience. One way to do this is to opt for hormone replacement therapy. This therapy has been in vogue for quite a few years and is offered to women who have reached menopause so that they can get these important hormones even though their body has stopped producing it in the required quantities. Hormone replacement therapy, also known as HRT, involves the taking of small doses of estrogen and progesterone so that the body does not age too fast. This therapy reduces the various symptoms of menopause, but more importantly, it keeps osteoporosis and heart disease at bay. The patient has the option of taking these hormones in the form of skin patches, tablets, implants or even skin creams. Doctors have to be very careful when they prescribe hormones to menopausal women because there are some well documented risks and side effects to using it. Doctors should never offer this treatment to women without first explaining what is estrogen and why it is important for a woman’s wellbeing. Doctors should also state the side effects very clearly so that women can make proper decisions. One of the most dangerous side effects of hormone replacement therapy is the increased incidence of breast cancer. It is hard to argue with this because many studies have shown an increase in estrogen receptor positive breast cancers when HRT numbers increased. Also, certain women can even have greater risk for heart attacks and strokes because of this treatment. There are some women who have developed ovarian cancer or even cancer of the uterine lining because of taking these hormones. The effects of the hormones vary from person to person and should therefore be offered only after studying her health and requirements very carefully. It certainly should not be offered indiscriminately or in very large doses to women who cannot bear to see their skin losing its youthful texture or who cannot deal with a reduced sex drive. It is very hard to deny menopausal women hormone replacement therapy even though there are a few risks involved. Medical science is always advancing and it is only a question of time before they offer safer options of this therapy so that the risk of various cancers can be reduced or removed entirely. Women are increasingly aware of what is estrogen and they are demanding various therapies that make their life comfortable and pleasant. | |
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Please note that all advice on this website is just our opinion and it should not be considered medical fact.
For further reading on the subject of Infertility we absolutely recommend that you visit www.nlm.nih.gov