Do some types of hormone therapy cause more problems than they solve? Elizabeth Tracey reports

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Oral estrogen products for women in perimenopause and menopause can be associated with a number of negative side effects. That’s according to Wen Shen, a menopause expert at Johns Hopkins.

Shen: Oral estrogen therapy can increase c-reactive protein, which is an inflammatory marker. It increases inflammation. Inflammation affects so much of autoimmune diseases and also diabetes is a form of inflammation. And estrogen therapy orally does increase the risk of stroke. That’s why estrogen therapy should not be given to women over 65 years.  :32

Shen says that there are other options for women seeking to ameliorate uncomfortable aspects of perimenopause and menopause, so talk with your provider to find out which might work for you. She cautions against self-medication with supplements or products available on the internet. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.