Abstract
The menopause is a time of significant physiological change in the lives of women. In addition to the multiple hormonal changes and symptoms of menopause, aging women are at increased risk for serious medical illness. The benefits of estrogen replacement therapy for the preservation of bone and decreased fracture incidence, improvement of lipid profile, and prevention of cardiovascular disease are well known. In addition, recent research has revealed a potential role for estrogen therapy in the prevention of colon cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and macular degeneration. Large prospective trials have demonstrated a significant reduction in the development of colon cancer among current users of estrogen replacement therapy compared with in non-users. Alzheimer’s disease is a significant health problem that affects older adults and therefore, postmenopausal women. A fair number of observational studies have suggested that estrogen may play a role in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Additional studies have suggested that estrogen may improve cognitive function among menopausal women without dementia, but it appears to have little effect on cognitive function in women with established Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness among menopausal women. Several studies have suggested that the use of estrogen may reduce the incidence of macular degeneration compared with non-users. Epidemiological studies have shown a potential benefit of estrogen in the areas of colon cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and macular degeneration. However, prospective, randomized trials are necessary to definitively answer these questions.
Published Version
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