They include heart disease and stroke, leading causes of death for women over the age of 50. Estrogen loss also can lead to bone loss. Some bone loss is normal as people age. However, a more serious condition called osteoporosis weakens bones and lets them break easily. It affects 24 million people in this country.
Women have a higher risk than men.
Doctors sometimes prescribe. Although millions of women take HRT, this may not be the right choice for everyone. Doctors usually prescribe HRT combining estrogen and another female hormone, progestin. Estrogen can be used in pill or tablet form, vaginal creams, or shots. There are also patches that attach to the skin and release estrogen through the skin.