Estrogen
replacement therapy refers to the administration of estrogen
to women who have reduced levels of estrogen, especially after
menopause or
surgical removal of the ovaries.
Taking estrogen alone can cause a high risk
of uterine cancer. As a result, estrogen is almost always
proscribed together with progestin
(a regimen called hormone
replacement therapy or HRT), which is associated with
a reduced risk of causing cancer. However, if the uterus has
been removed (a process called hysterectomy), progestin is
not required.
Further Reading:
Article : "ESTROGEN
AND ALZHEIMER'S"
by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain |