This hormone is used in post-menopausal women. After menopause ovaries substantially decrease the production of estrogen causing vaginal dryness, hot flashes, irritability and weight gain and mood disorders. Many women fear the use of estrogen replacement and this is unfortunately due to the media informing women that synthetic estrogen is unsafe. The detrimental effects of synthetic hormones should not be extrapolated to include natural hormones, which have been proven to be so beneficial.