Final answer:
Postmenopausal women experience decreased estrogen levels and bone density, leading to conditions like osteoporosis. Fertility also declines significantly. Hormone replacement therapy can relieve some symptoms but is used cautiously due to potential serious side effects and health risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
After menopause, postmenopausal women experience a variety of physiological changes. One of the key changes is a decrease in estrogen levels, which has multiple repercussions. For instance, there is a marked reduction in bone density, a condition known as osteoporosis. This bone thinning significantly increases the risk of fractures.
Moreover, postmenopausal women face a decline in fertility due to a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels, leading to the end of the reproductive phase. This same hormone reduction contributes to an array of symptoms, some of which can be mitigated by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, HRT is approached with caution by medical professionals due to its associated risks, including an increased possibility of developing breast cancer, stroke, heart attack, and other conditions.
While some studies suggest cardiovascular benefits from estrogen and no increased cancer risk, other findings, such as those from the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study, contradict these benefits and highlight the risks, making the use of HRT a topic of intensive debate and scrutiny.