Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT)

Estrogen Hormone Therapy (ERT) is the name given to a kind of therapy which is given to women who reach menopausal phase. It is prescribed by doctors to a large number of menopausal women for protecting them from different health risks related with menopause. One should also know that the effects of menopause are not similar for every woman. Some women may not even suffer from any of the symptoms of menopause while some women may suffer from menopause symptoms in extreme manner. ERT helps in reducing or eliminating changes which comes in the life of women due to menopause. Some of these changes include hot flashes, problem in sleeping, and excessive dryness in vagina.

Before menopause, the ovaries of woman manufacture estrogen in body naturally. For proper functioning of reproductive system of woman estrogen is required. Along with this, estrogen also serves some other important purposes in the body of a woman. When estrogen level in the body of women is reduced, chances of osteoporosis increase. ERT also reduces the risk of osteoporosis in the women. The term “estrogen replacement therapy” is now generally termed as just estrogen therapy.



A few researches also suggest that estrogen therapy might be responsible for several health risks for women who are treated with it. The report presented by Women’s Health Initiative data in 2002, suggests that estrogen therapy may increase the risk of stroke and blood clots in women. But women who were surveyed by this report were old. Other studies also suggest that if ERT is taken in early postmenopausal years then it may protect women from diseases of heart. Therefore, we can conclude that till now, there is no accurate report which clearly mentions benefits and side effects of estrogen replacement therapy.

It is true that a large number of women take estrogen replacement therapy but it may not be the best option for every woman. Before you decide to take ERT, you should consult your doctor and discuss about all the advantages and health risks associated with ERT.