I experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and pain on intercourse. My care provider suggested HRT to treat these symptoms. I have a family history of blood clots. Is this treatment appropriate?

Your Menopause Question: I don’t understand risk assessment in medical care. I am 55 years old and three years into menopause. I experience hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and pain on intercourse. My care provider suggested hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat these symptoms. However, she recalled that in 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) reported that of 10,000 women-years, HRT produced 18 more women with blood clots, eight more with stroke, and seven more with heart attacks than those not on HRT. I have a family history of blood clots. Is this treatment appropriate for me?

My doctor tells me that according to the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), estrogen has been shown to cause breast cancer and that I should avoid it in menopause. Yet, now this concept is being challen

Your Menopause Question: My doctor tells me that according to the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), estrogen has been shown to cause breast cancer and that I should avoid it in menopause. Yet, now this concept is being challenged. Please explain.

Please discuss what foods should be included or excluded from the diet for women who do not take hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Question: Please discuss what foods should be included or excluded from the diet for women
who do not take hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Can Some Cancer Patients Take Hormone Replacement Therapy?

When someone receives the diagnosis of cancer, life changes forever. Just one minute before, that individual and her family led normal lives. Never more. They suddenly are flooded with questions. “What does this mean? What can be done? Do I need a second opinion? Do I need surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy? Am I going to die? And again, what did you just say?”

Is There a Window for Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy to Help Reduce the Risk of Dementia?

Dementia conjures up many images. As we age, we all worry that the momentary misplaced car keys or the questionable location of the parked car in a large lot may indicate early dementia. In reality, the early signs of dementia are more likely evidenced by putting the car keys in the refrigerator or forgetting how to drive to your familiar home.