You may have heard that estrogen replacement therapy will help you maintain a youthful appearance and according to the Archives of Dermatology- March 1997 issue, you may be right.
Postmenopausal women, age 40 and older were measured for skin conditions including wrinkling, dryness, and atrophy by trained dermatology resident physicians. Use of estrogen, exposure to sunlight, and smoking history, as well as each women's body mass index (BMI) were factors considered before reaching their conclusion which suggests that the use of ERT is helpful in the prevention of dry skin and wrinkling and extends the benefits of estrogen replacement therapy to include protection against selected age and menopause related dermatologic conditions.
Other drugs have recently been approved for use as ERT, which claim to have lowered potential risk factors associated with their use. Raloxifene is one of these drugs and although controversy (Dr. Samuel Epstein has been reported to have revealed information which shows that raloxifene significantly increases the risk of ovarian cancer) exists about its use, daily therapy with raloxifene has been shown to increase bone mineral density, lower serum levels of LDL cholesterol and it does not stimulate the endometrium (NEJM 1997; 337: 141- 7).
Recent articles at InteliHealth- John Hopkins reveal that raloxifene significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer and it reduces the risk of colon cancer up to 35%.
Another drug, recently investigated for its' bone protecting ability in postmenopausal women is Alendronate; it was found to prevent bone loss in women under the age of 60 nearly to the same extent as estrogen- progestin. (NEJM 1998: 338: 485- 92)
Considering all the potential risks and benefits of estrogen replacement therapy, each woman must come to her own decision about what is right for her.
ERT reduces or eliminates the unpleasant symptoms of menopause for many women and provides significant reduction of bone loss and risk of heart disease, while at the same time increasing your risk of endometrial cancer and breast cancer. So is ERT right for you? It's a decision only you can make.
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