With the onset of menopause, usually between the ages of 45 and 55, women’s bodies and emotions are on a roll-a-coaster ride for nearly a decade. Their bodies produce lower levels of sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone becomes nearly absent from their body and estrogen levels are reduced to approximately one-tenth of pre-menopause levels. The lower hormone levels result in hot flashes, night sweats, sleeplessness, mood swings, weight gain and vaginal dryness. Bone loss, angina and coronary artery disease are also very common in women after menopause.

Recently hormone replacement therapy has been touted and presented as the way to counter some of the problems associated with menopause or to prevent some long-term conditions that are more common in postmenopausal women. Recent research shows, however, that the risk of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may outweigh the benefits. Let me explain the concerns.

Just what is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) involves treatment with either estrogen or estrogen in combination with progesterone for a period from one month to five or more years. Progestin, a synthetic hormone with effects similar to progesterone, may be used as a substitute.

• These substances can effectively double hormone levels in post-menopausal women, but this therapy does not produce the natural hormone levels seen before menopause.

What are the Benefits and Risks?

• To date, HRT has not been proven beneficial in older women with pre-existing heart disease.

• The use of estrogen plus progestin has not been shown to affect post-menopausal women’s general health, vitality, mental health, depressive symptoms, or sexual nature.

• HRT with estrogen plus progestin may increase the risk of the following:

1. Dementia by 50 percent

2. Blood clots by 50 percent

3. Stroke by 41 percent

4. Heart disease by 29 percent

5. Breast cancer by 26 percent

6. Death from ovarian cancer from 24.6 to 64 cases – 100,000 women who used estrogen for 10 or more years.

• Benefits of the use of estrogen plus progestin include:

1. Relief for menopausal symptoms

2. Fewer cases of hip and spine fractures

3. Women using estrogen plus progestin reported reduction in the risk of developing colon cancer by 37 percent. Studies do suggest, however, that to maintain bone density, women must remain taking the hormone.

What are the Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy?

• While hormone therapy can have short-term benefits, many short-term menopausal–related symptoms will eventually disappear, and many frequently require no treatment. However, although there are substantial concerns about the use of HRT, it has not been proven beneficial for long-term menopausal problems.

• Exercising regularly, eating a whole food diet, and not smoking are always good preventive steps. A healthy lifestyle helps to decrease the risk of bone loss.

• Taking whole food supplements and herbs such as Calcium Lactate, Cal-Ma Plus, Organic Minerals and Evening Primrose, as well as, several others. Vitamin D Chase Tree, Wild Yam all can be helpful in preventing osteoporosis as well as other menopausal symptoms.

• Talk to your local practitioner of Alternative and Integrative Healthcare and see what their opinion is before going on HRT without the definite need and without knowing the increase in risk factors.

Please address any comments, questions or concerns to the author at bamashogun@aol.com or visit www.alternative-concepts.com or visit www.gulfcoastnewspapers.com