Relief from Hot Flushes

About 75% of all women going through menopause have hot flushes (hot flashes). A hot flush is a sudden feeling of heat that spreads over the body. Hot flushes may come on a few times a month or several times a day, depending on the woman. Hot flushes can happen anytime – day or night. When they occur at night, they can disrupt your sleep. Estrogen causes them to go away.

Protection from Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease, which causes heart attacks and stroke, is more likely after menopause. It occurs when the blood vessels leading to the heart and brain become narrowed. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. Once the ovaries stop making estrogen, a woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease increases over time to equal that of a man.

Protection from Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is another result of low estrogen levels in women. Estrogen helps protect against bone disease. After menopause, a woman’s bones slowly lose strength and become more fragile. As a result, older women are more likely to break bones. The hip, wrist, and spine are most often affected.

Relief from Dryness

When estrogen levels drop, the walls of the vagina may become thin and dry. These changes can cause pain during sex and lead to an infection. Taking estrogen can relieve dryness.

Other Benefits

Some studies have shown that estrogen has a positive effect on mood and short-term memory in women. Estrogen may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease, which is a brain disease that causes early senility. The disease is more common in women than men. In addition, hormone replacement therapy, when taken with progesterone, can lower the risk of endometrial cancer.

(Excerpts from the "Preparing for Menopause" pamphlet series published by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, copies available at the CRC)

Each month the CRC of EVMS starts new clinical trials and we search our database to find volunteers that fit the criteria for each new study. If you have not called our Hotline, (757) 446-5808, within the last 6-12 months we may need to update your information. Otherwise you may mistakenly be overlooked for something that is very important to you. So please call and update with us at least a couple of times per year with any new information to keep up your active volunteer status.

In addition, if anyone receives this newsletter and you are not the addressee please call to let us know and we can either add or remove your name according to your wishes.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Cordially,