If heavier bleeding continues, more progesterone can be added and the uterine lining may need to be sampled to determine that the cell type is not cancerous or precancerous. If menopausal symptoms are minimal or absent, there are other very important reasons to consider hormone therapy. Taking estrogen therapy can lessen the risk of developing osteoporosis and heart disease. However, often other therapies may be more appropriate if no menopausal symptoms are problematic. This is a complex and important decision and your doctor can help you decide on the best treatment option for you.
Many women are afraid of the possible risks associated with estrogen therapy.
Questions have been raised about the possibility of estrogen causing breast cancer. Although research has shown conflicting data about this issue, it is clear that estrogen can cause an already existing breast cancer to grow faster. For this reason it is crucial that all women taking estrogen follow breast cancer screening recommendations carefully. However, most doctors are very careful about insisting that breast exams and mammogram schedules be adhered to in women for whom they prescribe estrogen. For this reason the breast cancer mortality rates in these women have actually been shown to be lower than in women of the same age who do not take estrogen.