All articles tagged with #estrogen
Hormone therapy for menopause, recently freed from outdated FDA warnings, can significantly improve skin health by increasing collagen, hydration, and barrier function, while also managing menopausal symptoms; proper treatment choices and skincare routines can optimize benefits and minimize side effects.
A study in Nature Neuroscience reveals that estrogen enhances learning in female rats by increasing dopamine activity in the brain's reward center, with implications for understanding hormonal influences on cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Science and medical guidelines have evolved, leading to a more nuanced view of hormone therapy for menopause. Starting therapy before age 60 or within ten years of menopause can provide relief from symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, and offer benefits for bone and heart health. However, not all women are suitable candidates, and risks vary depending on the type of estrogen used and individual health conditions. Alternatives like non-hormonal medications and lifestyle changes are also available for managing menopausal symptoms.
The FDA has decided to remove the black box warning on hormone replacement therapy for menopause, citing new evidence of its benefits and nuanced risks, which could lead to increased use among women experiencing menopause symptoms.
A review presented at The Menopause Society's annual meeting explains that menopause-related brain fog may be caused by structural brain changes due to declining estrogen levels, including reductions in gray matter and increased white-matter hyperintensities. Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, exercise, and hormone therapy, may help manage symptoms, but more research is needed for effective treatments.
A new retrospective study suggests that starting estrogen therapy during perimenopause may be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, heart attack, and stroke, but experts caution that the findings are preliminary and do not establish causation. The study highlights the need for more research and careful interpretation, especially as regulatory agencies consider changing warnings on estrogen products.
A 2023 study reveals that a woman's brain undergoes structural changes throughout her menstrual cycle, with estrogen enhancing connectivity during ovulation and progesterone promoting calmness and introspection afterward, highlighting the dynamic nature of female brain biology.
Research from UT Health San Antonio suggests that ketogenic diets may cause harmful cellular changes in male mice but not females, with estrogen providing protective effects, highlighting potential sex-specific responses to the diet.
New research highlights subtle but impactful voice changes during menopause due to decreased estrogen levels, which can affect women, especially those who rely heavily on their voice professionally. These changes are under-studied and often overlooked, but understanding them could lead to better support and interventions for women experiencing menopause.
A mouse study suggests that a ketogenic diet may accelerate aging in males but not in females, possibly due to estrogen's protective effects; further research is needed to see if these findings apply to humans.
Doctors are urging the FDA to remove the black box warning on low-dose estrogen hormone therapy for menopause, arguing that the warning overstates risks and discourages women from using beneficial treatments. The panel discussion highlighted evolving scientific understanding and calls for regulatory change, though some experts remain cautious about broad removal of warnings for systemic estrogen. The debate underscores the need for balanced risk-benefit analysis in hormone therapy for menopausal women.
A clinical trial suggests that Duavee, a drug used for menopause symptoms, may also reduce breast cancer cell growth in women with ductal carcinoma, without adverse effects on quality of life, indicating potential for breast cancer risk reduction in menopausal women.
Dermatologists suggest that using estrogen cream may help combat signs of skin aging, particularly in post-menopausal women, as the loss of estrogen can lead to drier skin and increased wrinkles. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any hormone-based treatment.
Menopause brings a variety of symptoms beyond hot flashes, including persistent fatigue, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, mood changes, and bladder issues. These symptoms are largely due to a drop in estrogen levels, affecting various body functions. Experts recommend lifestyle changes, hormone therapies, and other treatments to manage these symptoms and improve quality of life.
New research suggests that women's heart disease risks increase significantly after menopause due to a decline in estrogen, with women's arteries hardening at twice the speed of men's. The study, presented at an American College of Cardiology conference, found that postmenopausal women's heart health declines dramatically, eroding any previous advantage over men. To protect postmenopausal heart health, experts recommend a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, a balanced diet, and mindfulness to manage stress. Additionally, considering a coronary artery calcium (CAC) heart scan and taking statins, if recommended by a healthcare provider, may be important for postmenopausal women.