only women who no longer have a uterus should consider using estrogen-alone therapy (et). for women with a uterus the option they might consider is estrogen plus progestogen therapy (ept). progestogen is needed to protect the uterus and balance the effects of estrogen. using et alone for 5 or more years can more than triple the risk of developing cancer of the uterus but adding progestogen prevents the uterine lining (endometrium) from thickening and greatly reduces the cancer risk. then of course each woman must determine (with her healthcare provider) if ept is right for her.
is estrogen therapy an option for all menopausal women?