A recent American study showed that menopausal symptoms in 83 per cent of women using natural progesterone creams were significantly better or disappeared. As osteoporosis has been linked to hormonal imbalance, it' s likely that natural progesterone will prove more effective than oestrogen HRT in protecting against it.

Other studies have had great results alleviating menopausal symptoms with extracts from soya and red clover, which contain naturally occurring hormone-like substances called isoflavones. Isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen, or oestrogen-like plant compound, also enhance bone building and prevent the breakdown of bone. Ipriflavone, a derivative of these naturally occurring isoflavones, has been extensively tested and proven to increase bone density when given along with calcium and/or vitamin D. Combine this with a good multivitamin and mineral supplement each day.

If you do decide to pursue the HRT option, you should first have your oestrogen and progesterone levels tested to determine if you really need it. The only effective way to do this is with a saliva test (see Resources, page 483). Far safer and equally, if not more, effective than oestrogen HRT is natural progesterone. It' s called natural because it is exactly the same as the body' s own progesterone and is given in amounts akin to what the body should produce every day, as a transdermal skin cream. This is available on prescription.