Estrogen has long been touted as a wonder hormone thanks to popular usage of estrogen replacement therapy or ERT among older women. But, it is highly possible that the beneficial aspects of estrogen may be due in part to increased HGH levels which are brought about by estrogen. HGH is stimulated by estrogen and testosterone, but the usage of these steroid hormones in pushing up HGH levels needs further study.
Estrogen is actually a group of steroid hormones and there are three kinds of estrogen hormones produced mainly by the ovaries. These are estradiol, estriol, and estrone.
From a program by the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Oakland, 454 women volunteers born between 1900 and 1915, who participated, were studied in 1996 by Dr Bruce Ettinger for the effects of estrogen on post menopause. Half were on estrogen while the other half were not. It was found that overall; estrogen significantly reduced the mortality rate from heart disease and stroke, and therefore may be invaluable in the fight against heart disease amongst women and quite possibly, men.
Estrogen also helps to slow down bone loss in older women and this is one of the more well known documented benefits of estrogen. It appears that estrogen can help to prevent osteoporosis by as much as 50%. Osteoporosis is the leading cause of bone fractures in women above post menopausal age.
A drawback of estrogen is it may increase the risk of breast cancer. Without sounding too alarming, the huge benefits of estrogen could also be negated by an increased risk of breast cancer. Studies of women on long term ERT appear to support this hypothesis. It is believed that many types of breast cancer cells get their fuel from estrogen. Short term use of estrogen does not appear to increase this risk.
The best way to take estrogen is to take it in conjunction with other hormones, like progesterone, melatonin, and of course, growth hormone (HGH). Also, it is best to avoid the synthetic estrogens on sale, even though they are cheaper.
Hormones all work in synergy with one another, and any approach to hormonal therapies need to always follow this holistic path. If you decide to undergo an estrogen replacement therapy, make sure to always consult your doctor first.
