Estratest is a form of HRT or hormone replacement therapy that was approved by the FDA.  It contains both estrogen and testosterone.  It can be effectively used by women who are in perimenopause, menopause and those who have finished menopause.  In addition to Estratest there are other prescription forms of testosterone and estrogen, in fact Premarin also comes in this form.

Estratest is a "natural estrogen

According to Kathy Petras in her book The Premature Menopause Book, the estrogen in Estratest is "natural" or the same kind our ovaries make.

• Estratest comes in a tablet form and has many doses to choose from.
• Most doctors like patients to start on the lowest dose and work their way up if needed to increased doses.

Testosterone in Women
Much has been in the news about the role of testosterone in women's health. It has been found to help women of varied ages, not just those in perimenopause, menopause and beyond,  whose sex drive is decreasing.

Ruth Jacobowitz, author of The 150 Most-Asked Questions About Midlife Sex, Love, and Intimacy says, "At menopause, many women lose not only estrogen and progesterone, but also that bit of testosterone that is also made by our ovaries and testosterone is the only hormone
that makes us desirous of sexual intimacy.

Testosterone is produced by a woman's body but production can decrease over time.  Taking a product containing testosterone, like Estratest, can help some women boost their sex drive .  For women who are also experiencing perimenopause and menopause the addition of testosterone to their regimen can make them feel better, promote a sense of well being and decrease anxiety and depression.

Meet the author
Susan Rako, MD
author of "The Hormone of Desire"
Interview & Book excerpt
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
Dr. Rako discusses her thoughts on testosterone deficiency in women. The Hormone of Desire is a very complete and thoughtful book. She separates the long held myths about testosterone and women from the powerful reality. Women's sexuality is beginning to get the attention it deserves and Dr. Rako's book is a long awaited and much anticipated resource.

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A Woman's Guide to Natural Hormones
by Christine Conrad

Provides women of all ages a comprehensive guide to understanding natural hormones. Discusses how they work in the body to which ones should be used. Topics include: risk of breast cancer, midlife weight gain, synthetic HRT drugs, and more.

Menopause Without Medicine:
Feel Healthy, Look Younger, Live Longer
by Linda Ojeda

Dr. Ojeda broke new ground when she began to study nonmedical approaches to menopause more than 10 years ago. Now she has revised and updated her definitive resource, incorporating the latest findings about estrogen, mood swings, and osteoporosis. Throughout, Ojeda shows how women can enjoy optimal health at any age by making simple, inexpensive changes in diet and lifestyle.