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Are there any alternatives for women who choose not to take menopausal
hormones?
Although menopausal hormones can have short-term benefits, several health
concerns are associated with their use, and many women feel that hormones are
not a good choice for them. Women should discuss with their health care
provider whether to take menopausal hormones and what alternatives may be
appropriate for them.
All women can adopt a healthy lifestyle by not smoking, exercising regularly,
and eating a healthy diet. A healthy lifestyle helps to decrease a woman's
risk of bone loss. Health professionals also recommend calcium and vitamin D
supplements to prevent osteoporosis (42). Another part of the WHI, due to be
finished in 2005, is testing the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplements
on hip and other fractures as well as the effect on colon cancer. Other drugs,
such as alendronate (Fosamax®), raloxifene (Evista®), and risedronate (Actonel®)
have been shown to prevent bone loss, and are increasingly becoming the
treatment of choice for osteoporosis in many menopausal women (43).
Parathyroid hormone (Forteo®) has recently been approved by the Food and Drug
Administration for osteoporosis treatment. Tibolone is being studied in
clinical trials to prevent osteoporosis.
Although short-term menopause-related problems may go away on their own and
frequently require no therapy at all, some women seek relief from these
symptoms with nonprescription remedies, such as estrogen-containing foods (soy
products, whole-grain cereal, seeds, and certain fruits and
vegetables) and
creams; herbs such as black cohosh; and vitamin E and vitamin B complexes. The
benefits and risks of most of these agents are unproven, but remain an active
area of research. Researchers are studying the safety and efficacy of these
therapies (42). Local therapy is also available for vaginal dryness and
urinary bladder conditions.
Questions and
Answers About Menopausal Hormone Use
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