Beresford Clinics - Women's Health Concerns

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ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY

BENEFITS OF ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY:

Relief Of Menopausal Symptoms:
- hot flashes
- depression
- forgetfulness
- vaginal dryness
- loss of libido
May Prevent Atherosclerosis:
- increase HDL
- prevent oxidation of cholesterol
Slows Down Osteoporosis

SIDE EFFECTS OF ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY:

Increased Risk Of:
- Blood clots
- Hypertension
- Abnormalities of blood sugar
Increased Incidence Of Gall Bladder Disease
Nausea And Vomiting
Headaches
Fluid Retention
Worsening Of Estrogen-Dependent Conditions:
- fibroids
- endometriosis
- breast pain
- worsening of fibrocystic disease of the breast
Increased Risk Of Endometrial Cancer If Used Without Progesterone
Risk Of Breast Cancer With The Use of Estrogen

Studies show that the use of estrogen in women with a pre-existing and unknown estrogen-sensitive breast tumor can accelerate the growth of such a tumor. However, use of estrogens for up to 5 years has shown no increase in incidence of the development of the onset of new breast cancer.

Some studies indicate that there may be a slightly increased risk (up to 3%) of developing new onset breast cancers when estrogen therapy exceeds five years. The population risk for breast cancer is one in ten or 10%. Therefore the risk increases from 10% to 13%.

ESTROGENS

Hormone replacement with estrogen is available in various forms. Which one you use is determined by several factors: personal risks involved in the use of estrogen (such as contraindications, adverse or side-effects), personal preferences for natural estrogens that are chemically identical to human estrogen (estradiol-17ß), and convenience.
METHOD	DESCRIPTION
TABLETS:	"Premarin" or "C.E.S." (Conjugated Estrogens) "Ogen" (Estropipate = Estrone) "Estrace" (Estradiol-17ß)
PATCH:	"Estraderm" (Estradiol-17ß) "Climara" (Estradiol-17ß)
GEL:	"Estragel" (Estradiol-17ß)
VAGINAL RING:	"Estring" (Estradiol-17ß)
CREAM:	"Premarin" in cream form
TRI-EST:	Contains Estradiol-17ß, Estriol and Estrone Compounded by pharmacist

PROGESTERONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

BENEFITS OF PROGESTERONE:

Reduces Risk Of Unopposed Estrogen Causing Endometrial Cancer
Relieves Symptoms Of Menopause:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Heavy Bleeding
- Breast Tenderness

SIDE-EFFECTS OF PROGESTERONE:

Blood Clots
Fluid Retention
Breast Tenderness
Nausea
Jaundice
Depression

PROGESTERONE PREPARATIONS

Progesterone replacement is available in several forms. The one you use is determined by several factors; personal risks to use of progesterone (such as contraindications, adverse or side-effects), personal preferences for more natural progesterones and convenience.
NAME	DESCRIPTION
TABLETS
"Provera"	Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
"Prometrium"	Micronized Progesterone
PATCHES
"Estracomb"	Estradiol-17ß + Norethindrone Acetate
TRI-EST WITH PROGESTERONE	Compounded by pharmacist