Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)

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Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is a treatment for women that helps replenish low estrogen levels. This therapy involves taking the hormone estrogen on a regular basis.

The body naturally produces less estrogen after menopause, when the ovaries are removed, or as a result of some other health conditions. ERT can help reverse the effects of low estrogen, which may include severe menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and insomnia, and long-term problems, such as weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis).

ERT is also called unopposed estrogen therapy because a second hormone (progestin) is not used along with the estrogen. Estrogen used alone can cause cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). For this reason, unless a woman has had her uterus removed, estrogen usually is combined with progestin; this combined therapy is called hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or simply hormone therapy (HT).

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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