Safety and effectiveness of estrogen therapies
Estrogens and progestins are hormones that affect many parts of the body, from bones to skin and brain. They are recommended when using contraceptives, assisted reproduction and in menopause therapies. However, how you react to these treatments will depend on genetics, and they can have both benefits and
risks.
What is analyzed?
Estrogen genetic testing studies DNA to see how estrogen might affect individual health. This test will evaluate the risk of thrombosis, something that is especially important if you are considering hormonal treatment.
It is also recommended in treatments related to fibroids, endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome, where estrogen levels can play a fundamental role.
In addition, the test examines other aspects of your health, genes related to protection against oxidative damage and assesses whether there is an increased risk of chronic inflammation and thyroid problems at the tissue level.
Hormonal treatment in menopause
Menopausal hormone replacement treatment (HRT) is very beneficial during the first five years to mitigate the psychological and neurovegetative effects of menopause. It is recommended by medical societies, although the risk of thrombosis must be ruled out on an individual basis. An aspect that is included in genetic estrogen testing.
Long-term treatment, more than five years, in addition to facilitating healthy aging, has many health advantages. Less risk of colon cancer, glaucoma, senile dementia-Alzheimer's, less cardiovascular risk, better quality of muscle fibers, less osteoporosis, less risk of fractures in others. However, data obtained from two large studies, in the United States and the United Kingdom, which followed more than one and a half million women for twenty years, have shown that HRT increases the risk of breast cancer.
The genetic estrogen test evaluates, in a personalized way, whether or not long-term HRT will increase the risk of breast cancer. That is, evaluate in each case whether it will be beneficial and the risk it may entail. Genetic estrogen testing scientifically helps with this important decision.