Estrogen is lost when the ovaries are removed or, more commonly, after menopause. Women after menopause are just as likely as men to suffer heart disease. They become more prone to brittle cones and osteoporosis. Many physicians recommend that women take estrogens after menopause to improve their risk profile for heart disease and to help deter bone loss and the development of osteoporosis. Like with any medication estrogen supplementation does not come without risks and disadvantages.
Findings remain controversial, but there are still concerns about breast cancer.
There is more good news to report. Recently researchers studied more than 100 women with an average age of 59 years. Some had Alzheimer's disease, others were healthy women. These women or their close relatives or caregivers reported on use of estrogen by these women. Interestingly, estrogen use was higher in the health women.