Current Status of Estrogen Therapy

Replacement of deficient hormones is an important axis of anti-aging medicine since aging is caused and manifested by various hormonal declines. Somatopause has been treated with growth hormone; andropause with testosterone; thyropause with thyroid hormones; and menopause with estrogen or other natural substances (including isoflavone and black cohosh), whereas facial flush, genital atrophy and other menopausal symptoms have been controlled with estrogen therapy (ET). Many studies have reported that ET helps to prevent cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, however, the increased risk of breast cancer and insignificant preventive effect of ET on cardiovascular disease was revealed by the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study. Thus, it is appropriate to review the risks and benefits associated with ET when managing postmenopausal women. The efficacy of ET and natural estrogen surrogates in relieving postmenopausal symptoms will also be discussed. We will also consider the possible antioxidant properties of ET.