Estrogens are hormones made by the ovaries of normal women.
Between ages 45 and 55, the ovaries normally stop making estrogens. If both ovaries are removed during an operation before natural menopause takes place, the sudden drop in estrogen levels causes surgical menopause. Using estrogen drugs can help the body adjust to lower estrogen levels and reduce these symptoms. Most women have only mild menopausal symptoms or none at all and do not need to use estrogen drugs for these symptoms. Others may need to take estrogens for a few months while their bodies adjust to lower estrogen levels.