For instance, among postmenopausal women who have coronary artery disease, those who take estrogen survive longer, on the average, than those who don't. These benefits may be partly explained by estrogen's favorable effects on cholesterol levels. Treatment Symptoms are treated by restoring estrogen to premenopausal levels. Synthetic estrogens are a hundred times more potent than natural estrogens and therefore are not routinely recommended for women in menopause. Only very low doses of a natural estrogen are needed to prevent hot flashes and osteoporosis.
High doses can cause problems, such as an increased tendency to have migraine headaches.
Some of the estrogen taken this way is absorbed into the bloodstream, particularly as the vaginal lining becomes healthier. Because estrogen is associated with side effects and long-term risks as well as benefits, a woman and her doctor must weigh the benefits against the risks before deciding whether to use estrogen replacement therapy. Side effects of estrogen include nausea, breast discomfort, headache, and mood changes. Taking Progesterone With Estrogen Progesterone is taken with estrogen to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Commonly, estrogen and progesterone are taken every day.