Estrogen

* In perimenopause, your doctor might suggest birth control pills. These will provide birth control, make your periods more regular, and lower your chance of cancer of the uterus and ovaries. It may also help with symptoms like hot flashes. However, the pill hides the arrival of menopause. When you think you might have reached menopause, you could stop taking the pill for several months to see if you still have a regular period.

* Once you have reached menopause, your doctor might suggest estrogen and progesterone, known as hormone replacement therapy or HRT. For women without a uterus, the doctor will recommend estrogen alone. This is called estrogen replacement therapy or ERT. The hormones are usually taken as pills, but can be given as skin patches, creams, or vaginal inserts, depending on a woman’s particular needs.

* Taking hormones for a short time (less than 5 years) may help relieve any symptoms of menopause. Taking HRT/ERT for more than 5 years will also help delay osteoporosis and may protect against heart disease. It should improve your cholesterol levels and may also help your memory.

* However, there are side effects and possibly health risks. This is particularly true if you have liver problems, high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), or a history of blood clots. Blood clots and an increase in your chance of developing breast cancer are two risks of HRT/ERT.

Estrogen