Women in Balance Science Advisor presents:

Hormone Therapy for Mid Life, A New Perspective

ABSTRACT

A number of hormonal changes take place as women move beyond their childbearing years and enter a new phase of life. Just as the body responds during puberty or pregnancy with biochemical and physiologic changes to support these states, it responds also to menopause, providing the conditions required for sustaining life in later years. Attempts to address uncomfortable or painful symptoms of menopause have resulted in some apparent risks for long term adverse health consequences, such as breast and endometrial cancer and heart disease. In response to these findings, studies of lower dose estrogen therapy begun early in menopause are underway. Hormones that are identical in molecular structure to those found in the human body, sometimes referred to as “natural” or “bioidentical” hormones, are also being used in place of nonhuman hormones because of their potentially more favorable physiologic effects.

This review begins with a synopsis of some of the reasons why women are being prescribed hormone therapy, then proposes a new way of conceptualizing the hormonal and physiologic changes women experience during the transition into midlife and beyond. It also presents research and examines multiple hormonal changes that may need to be addressed in order both to alleviate short-term symptoms, and preserve long-term health.

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