Hormone Replacement Therapy and its Risks and Benefits for Women

Abstract

There is no doubt that as both women and men age, the decline in the hormones which in their earlier years kept them
vigorous and youthful has impacted dramatically on their health.
Hormonal balance plays an integral role in maintaining the physiological integrity of the body and mind functions of both sexes.
For example, hormone balance regulates a wide array of physiological and cognitive functions such as the metabolisation of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and body fats.1
It is the efficacy of
hormonal interactions that also govern the production of DNA
and RNA, along with enzyme functionality. Research has shown
that hormonal balance features prominently in the response to the
body and mind to stress, blood sugar balance and the regulation of
diabetes, kidney function, libido, menstruation and menopause, to
name only a few facets of its capability.2
Hormones also serve as
catalysts which assist in the regulation of the synthesis of cellular
proteins. Given that hormones influence a wide range of bodily
processes, it is evident that the decline in hormonal levels impedes
the efficiency of the communicative receptor exchanges within the
endocrine system itself.3
This deficiency, in turn, compromises a
number of integrated systems which interconnect with each other,
thereby diminishing cardiovascular and immune functions, detoxification mechanisms, and gastrointestinal efficacy.