What should women still taking HRT do?
Don’t panic. HRT pills are no longer the darling of the medical profession–though they’re still considered the gold standard for relieving menopausal symptoms. “There are no good long-term health reasons for using combined hormone-replacement therapy,” says Dr. Monica Morrow, director of the breast program at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Should anyone be using HRT to prevent heart disease or osteoporosis?
No. It increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. For bone loss, take another drug like Fosamax or Evista.
How worried should I be about breast cancer?
HRT pills can delay cancer diagnosis by making the breasts denser and tumors harder to see on mammograms.
Do all women have hot flashes and night sweats at 50?
No. Contrary to popular belief, some women sail through menopause–defined as not getting a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months. In fact, fewer than one in five women get moderate to severe symptoms.
What else can I take?
Nothing is as effective as HRT for relieving menopausal symptoms. But some promising studies show that Prozac-like antidepressants and black cohosh (often sold as Remifemin) may help.
