The results will not be available for several years. Any woman thinking about using estrogen must remember that it has risks and benefits. Like any other medication, it has possible side effects. For example, estrogen can increase the risk of cancer of the uterus if a woman has not had her uterus removed. This risk can be eliminated if a woman who still has her uterus takes a form of the hormone progesterone along with estrogen.
Many experts advise women to take estrogen after menopause .
For many women, the benefits are thought to outweigh the risks. Estrogen therapy helps with symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. All women should discuss estrogen use after menopause with their healthcare providers to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks for them. New data about the risks and benefits are still being generated. Estrogen may turn out to be a new tool to prevent Alzheimer's disease.