Prempro

"Although estrogen can have positive effects such as reducing the risk for fractures, hormone therapy should not be used routinely because it appears to increase women's risk for potentially life-threatening clots that block blood vessels, stroke, dementia and mild cognitive impairment," according to a task force supported by the HHS Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Many women "medicalize" menopause and are too quick to turn to estrogen therapy to treat its symptoms, such as night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness, according to an independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health.

More emphasis needs to be placed on non-prescription methods, such as Replens Long-Lasting vaginal moisturizer, which is proven in clinical trials for addressing symptoms of menopause.

Vaginal dryness ranks among the 10 most common problems occurring during menopause.

Twenty-six percent of women aged 50 and above experience irritating, recurring vaginal dryness, compared to half that for women under 40.

"Millions of women suffer from vaginal dryness, a real problem that affects and interferes with their daily lives....

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