| My mother has been on estrogen therapy for some 20 years now. She
started it after her hysterectomy.
Her symptoms were: bouts of depression, mood swings, hot flashes,
dried skin, and painful intercourse.
With the estrogen therapy, she's been free of all these symptoms.
When the cancer scare first really hit, she tried doing without it
for a while, but the mood swings were so bad she decided she'd
rather die young of cancer than live the rest of her life
emotionally crippled by her hormones.
I'm not sure about the cancer risk now -- not up to date on
statistics. The newer replacement hormones have less
cancer-producing effects, and the dosage can be more carefully
controlled, so the risk is much less than it used to be -- if it's
a risk at all.
--bonnie
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| I am on estrogen therapy. I use it primarily to combat dryness
and to help prevent osteoporosis and hardening of the arteries.
The therapy now consists of both estrogen and progesterone so that
your monthly cycle more nearly mimics your biological cycle. I
had one or two Drs. tell me I should have it for the medical
reasons (preventing softening of bones and hardening of arteries)
aside from any discomfort or symptoms. That seems to be the
current general medical advice -- EXCEPT that my internist thinks
the hormones are a factor in raising my cholesterol level.
As for mood swings, my temperament was more even and "laid-back"
before I started the therapy. Now I experience SOME cyclical
swings similar to what I used to experience, but not as bad. My
doctor has been very good and patient with adjusting and readjusting
my dosages many times!
If you think you need the therapy, give it a try! And good luck!
It's true "they" may again decide it's unsafe -- next week or 5
yrs from now -- but what can we do other than go by the best current
advice?
By the way, one form of the therapy is administered through a skin
patch. I was quite allergic to the patch, though most women aren't.
It's supposed to be slightly safer because the medicine doesn't
go
through your liver, but it's sure easier to take a pill!
Nancy
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