prescribed, but highly recommended, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women who experienced serious menopausal symptoms.

The treatments did indeed relieve the symptoms for many individuals and it also appeared to provide adequate protection against some of the natural consequences of menopause, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.  It seemed on the surface to be the perfect therapy.

Recently, however, that line of treatment has been questioned.  It appears that estrogen therapy may actually pose more severe health risks than it alleviates.  Because of the overwhelming case made against this treatment, health care practitioners stopped prescribing this treatment temporarily.

But now some are taking a second look at it and carefully recommending it for a limited number of their patients who are menopausal.  Is it right for you?  Only you and your health care practitioner can make that decision.  Here are some symptoms it can help.  Before using this treatment though, you should discuss with your health care practitioner the possible side effects which could arise from its use.  Your health care practitioner will want to know your medical history before making a decision on your particular case.

Hormone replacement therapy can be beneficial to the woman who is plagued by hot flashes. Medical science still contends that it's the best remedy for hot flashes and night sweats.

This treatment can also help with vaginal discomfort, such as dryness, itching and burning.  Hormone replacement therapy also helps with the pain some menopausal women experience during sexual intercourse.

If you're at greater risk of developing osteoporosis, then hormone replacement therapy might be a proper treatment for you.  However, now it's only recommended when all other medications for this bone-loss disease have been considered and ruled out.

Just as there are women who can be helped by this line of treatment, there are also women who should avoid it because of their medical history.  First on this list is the woman who has had breast cancer or who has a history of blood clots.  Similarly, if your main motivation for taking this form of therapy is to prevent memory loss, or to reduce your risks of heart attacks or strokes, then you should reconsider your decision.  There are other natural and more effective treatments that carry far fewer risks with them.

Note: Some statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

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