Prempro

At three months the diaries recorded hot flush frequency to be down by 35 per cent with black cohosh, 15 per cent with the multibotanical, 30 per cent with the multibotanical plus dietary counselling, 21 per cent with the placebo, and 88 per cent with hormone therapy.

The findings were similar at six and 12 months.

The same pattern was found when the researchers used a menopause symptom score.

At three months, the frequency of hot flushes decreased 27 per cent with black cohosh, 14 per cent with the multibotanical, 23 per cent with the multibotanical plus soy, 15 per cent with the placebo, and 76 per cent with hormone therapy.

The findings were also similar at six and 12 months.

The authors noted that differences between the herbal regimens and the placebo were not significant but that the difference between the hormone therapy group and the other groups was considered important.

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But these drugs have not been as thoroughly tested.

Other proven treatments for hot flashes include low doses of the antidepressants Effexor (venlafaxine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and paxil (paroxetine).

Some women say Soy relieves their symptoms, but clinical evidence is equivocal.

Evening Primrose Oil has been proven more effective than placebo.

Vaginal Dryness: Does HRT help?

Yes.

Alternatives: Estrogen products inserted in the vagina work.

These include rings such as Estring, creams such as Estrace, and Premarin, and tablets such as Vagifem and Premarin.

Vitamin E suppositories or non-hormonal lubricants such as K-Y jelly may also help some women.

Please note that Premarin comes in both cream and tablet forms.

Heart Attack and Stroke: Does HRT help?

No.

In the WHI study that was recently halted, women who took estrogen-progestin therapy had more heart attacks and strokes.

Whether estrogen-alone therapy protects from heart disease is unclear.

Alternatives: aerobic exercise and a healthy diet reduce the risk of heart disease.

(smoking increases the risk.) More powerful tools include the statin drugs for lowering cholesterol; beta blockers and ACE inhibitors for lowering blood pressure; and aspirin for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke Broken Bones: Does HRT hel...