An estimated 13 million to 16 million American women, and a small number of American men, currently take estrogens, female hormones, for medical and sexual reasons (mainly for birth control, or to treat certain effects of menopause). During the past 15 years, however, there have been increasing reports of the dangers of these products. The reports first appeared in the 1960‘s, when some women using the Pill turned up with
blood clots in their legs, and later with heart attacks and strokes. Then, in the early 1970‘s, came reports of vaginal cancer in the daughters of women given the estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES), And recent studies have indicated that women taking estrogens for menopause run an increased risk of cancer of the endometrium, the lining of the womb. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated two special
documents—"Patient Package Inserts"—that must, by law, be given with every estrogen
prescription filled in this country. One is for estrogen preparations used in menopause; the other for the Pill. Both stress the dangers and side effects, and
carefully specify those who should not take estrogens.
Most women have heard about the reported dangers of estrogens and are understandably
anxious. Yet, while the use of the inserts seems to indicate apprehension on the part
of the PDA, the agency has not removed any estrogen preparation from the market—which has led to confusion. Endocrinologist-gynecologist Dr. Georgeanna S. Jones. Until mid-1978, Dr. Jones was professor of gynecology and obstetrics at Johns Hopkins Medical School; she now occupies a similar position at Eastern Virginia Medical School.
