The usual dose of estrogen is .625 mg which is only about twenty five percent of the amount in oral contraceptives. As an interim solution, many women choose to take low dose oral contraceptives during perimenopause as a way of regulating periods, and reducing menopausal symptoms. For many years, HRT was prescribed to prevent cardiovascular disease. However, over time this result evened out. However, there are other factors to consider.
Most women are fearful about developing breast cancer.
Health Network points out in a recent review of the literature that taking estrogen replacement therapy for five or more years increased the risk of breast cancer by about 35 percent. In addition, HRT results in breasts that appear denser on mammograms, so this diagnostic tool is less likely to detect small cancers. Common side effects include nausea, headaches, and breast tenderness. There are also different methods of delivery, including the pill, patch, cream, gel, and vaginal ring. In addition, there are different regimens including a combined, daily dose of both estrogen and progesterone, and a sequential approach that attempts to mimic a woman's natural cycle resulting in menstrual-like bleeding.