For many years, the debate on whether to use estrogen and progesterone to replace hormones lost during menopause has seemed to have finally cooled. Although many studies were conducted that said that HRT not only helped calm the effects of menopause, but would also reduce the risks a Alzheimer’s disease, these studies have now been replaced with others that state the opposite.

So what does this mean for those with menopause? It means that every case is unique and you should seek a doctor who can give you an honest opinion about HRT. Many doctors today feel that in severe cases, a very low does of HRT may help relieve symptoms brought on by menopause. Doctors warn, however, that these doses should be short-term only.

HRT does not work for everyone. There are other ways to combat symptoms of menopause. Diet, exercise, reducing stress, and living your life despite that fact that you have menopause are more effective ways to reduce the effect of the symptoms.

But if you are still looking into HRT, there are a few things you should do before beginning any treatment.

• Always consult a doctor
• Talk with others who have had HRT
• Find out all the information you can
• Decide if it is better to just wait it out instead of taking any medication

Look into your family history also and see if any types of cancer are present. Some studies suggest that HRT may cause cancer. Have regular check-ups with your doctor to monitor your body’s reaction to HRT.

Maintaining a healthy diet is important at any stage in life. But during menopause, it may be even more important. Since you will be losing estrogen, it is essential to get enough vitamins and minerals throughout the day to improve overall health. Losing calcium is another factor women have to deal with as they age. By learning how to eat at the beginning stages of menopause, you will be eating better and feeling better for years to come.

Eat foods that are high in fiber. Fruits, vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are great sources of many vitamins and also fiber. Fiber will keep your bowels clean which will give you more energy during the day.

Getting more calcium into your body will help keep your bones healthy and also help when losing weight. Drink plenty of milk and eat foods such as yogurt, cheese, and dark green leafed vegetables will help you achieve your daily allotment, which should be 1000mgs per day.
Avoid foods that are high in sugar and fat. This includes most dessert items as well as bacon, and hot dogs.

Once you have modified your diet, you will begin to have more energy and you will begin to sleep better at nighttime. In addition to eating properly, it is also important to exercise as well. Drink plenty of water in order to stay hydrated and try to walk or perform some other sort of exercise at least three days a week. Menopause is not the end of your life, but rather a beginning of the next half of it.