Should I start hormones? Which hormones should I take? How long should I take them? How do I go off hormones? How long will my symptoms last?
These are just a few of the questions that patients bring to the Menopausal Medicine specialists at Washington University School of Medicine. It seems that every day new and conflicting information appears in the media. Women want to relieve their hot flashes, insomnia, and vaginal discomfort, prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and colon cancer without increasing their risk of breast cancer or stroke
As women age, ovarian function declines, menstrual cycles become irregular and eventually stop, resulting in a marked decrease in estrogen levels. In some women the transition through menopause may be relatively symptom free. However over 50% of women experience problematic symptoms. Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances and vaginal dryness are the most common menopausal complaints. The decrease in estrogen is also associated with an increase in the risk of osteoporosis and may contribute to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and colon cancer.
Women who are having menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, painful sex or sexual dysfunction should consider starting or staying on estrogen to treat their symptoms. Taking estrogen for 5 years or less may be safer than long term use. About 50% of women will experience a recurrence of their symptoms when they stop hormone therapy. However, the symptoms are often less intense and tend to decrease in severity over time.
Over the last few years, attention has focused on the risks of estrogen therapy. Your doctors will thoroughly discuss the potential risks and benefits and develop an individual program that meets your needs and concerns. For example, vaginal dryness and painful intercourse can usually be treated with local vaginal estrogen. The low doses and minimal absorption of estrogen make this a safe and effective treatment for women who cannot or may not need to use systemic estrogen therapy.
Patients Seen at the following Locations:
Diane F. Merritt Valerie A. Omicioli, M.D., M.S.
Center for Advanced Medicine 4444 Forest Park, Suite 3100
4921 Parkview Place, Suite A, Floor 5 St. Louis, MO 63108
St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 286-2447
(314) 362-4211 Fax: (314) 286-2455
Fax: (314) 362-0049