Estrogen

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. It is a group of related hormones, with estradiol being the most active form during a woman’s reproductive years. Estrogen affects nearly every system in the female body: bones, heart, brain, skin, and reproductive organs all rely on it.

When estrogen decreases during menopause, it is responsible for most of the symptoms women experience, including hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. Estrogen therapy is the most effective treatment available for these symptoms. The benefits outweigh the risks for most women who start estrogen therapy within ten years of their final period or before age 60.