Hormone therapy

THE oestrogen levels in a post-menopausal woman are about 10% of the level of those in the reproductive age group and progesterone is almost absent. The low levels of post-menopausal oestrogen are produced by the adrenal glands and fat. 

Hormone therapy usually involves treatment with either oestrogen alone or in combination with progestogen to help compensate for the decrease in natural hormones at menopause. Hormone therapy only doubles the oestrogen level of a post-menopausal woman. Hence, even with hormone therapy, the oestrogen and progesterone levels of a post-menopausal woman do not reach the natural levels of a pre-menopausal woman.