Hormone replacement therapy is the administration of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen replacement therapy is thought the help prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. The cardiovascular effects of progesterone are still unknown. Estrogen, if given in large doeses, stimulates the growth of the inner lining of the uterus that sheds during menstruation. This growth may continue resulting in cancer.
Progestin reduces the risk by causing monthly shedding of the endometrium.
The drawback to this approach is that menopausal women resume monthly bleeding. Estrogen halts bone loss but cannot necessarily rebuild bone. Clinical studies have shown that women who use estrogen substantially reduce their risk of developing and dying from heart disease. Estrogen rekindled sexual desire, stopped segues of static and dips of fatigue and chased away the blues. But the progeterin prescribed brought on unbelievable physical and emotional symptoms, energy was flagging, resistance to minor infections was falling and the patient felt as if their heart was racing.