When Doctors told Ruth Talmer she needed to start taking Hormone Replacement Therapy she said, "I did not want to be on the traditional HRT."

Synthetic estrogen or combinations of estrogen and progesterone may cause certain side effects.

Dr. Ann Schneider/St. John Hospital - "For some people, taking hormone medicine, headaches, weight change, can be bothersome."

But the side effect that concerns women the most is the slight risk of breast cancer.

Dr. Ann Schneider/St. John Hospital - "At present it appears a small risk with longer term hormone replacement therapy use."

Traditional hormone replacement therapy is proven to prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and alzheimer's. So the benefits outweigh the risks... but some women prefer to go the alternative route. That's why business is booming at one unique pharmacy where the bottles are filled with high dose natural hormones.

Patrick Butters/Pharmalogics,Inc. - "We're having a tremendous amount of physician phone calls..supporting this."

There are several ways to dispense natural hormones.. lozenges, suppositories and lotion form, which can be very effective.

Patrick Butters/Pharmalogics, Inc. - "You rub the lotion inside your arm or thigh... It's vey simple."

Ruth started using a natural progesterone lotion recently and she says it worked on her menopause symptoms almost right away without any side effects.

Ruth Talmer/HRT patient - "I'm sleeping at night, my moods are better... the irritability is gone."

Dr. Ann Schnieder/St. John Hospital- "You may get the relief... the true test of medicine is how well it works over a long period of time."

Dr. Schneider says over the counter natural remedies like wild yam and redclover and even natural prescription hormonesare unproven. Experts say if you choose to try them, only take the recommended dosage and follow your doctors advice to be safe.

Patrick Butter/ Pharmalogics, Inc. - "You don't want to take more than more than what's prescribed."

Ruth Talmer/HRT patient - "No side effects. I highly recommend it. Please talk to your doctor."

Dr. Schneider says the word "natural" may be deceiving when it comes to hormones because any hormone supplementation whether natural or synthetic is basically unnatural for the body.

To find out more about different therapies for menopause call 1-800-561-2781 and ask for the booklet "what's right for me."

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