Over the years there have been questions asked and answered over and over again about hormone replacement therapy. If you have reached menopause, had a hysterectomy or are over 50, you have likely heard the pros and cons of taking HRT and wondered if this is the right choice for your menopause symptoms. If you are confused about HRT and wonder if you should begin taking it, it may help you to know a bit about the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy and how it works.

In recent years, studies have shown that women are at risk for heart disease just as much as men, even more in some cases. Heart disease, not cancer or other diseases, is the number one cause of death among all women over the age of Sixty Five. If you are a woman you are four times more likely to die of heart disease than you are breast cancer or cervical cancer. Heart disease kills more women in the United States than all types of cancer combined, including breast and cervical cancer.

Just the thought of having a hysterectomy can put many women into a frenzy. For years, this has been considered a terrible fate and many women today are unaware of what is involved in this major surgery. You should understand that after your hysterectomy you will no longer have a menstrual period nor will you be able to get pregnant. The recovery from this surgery can take anywhere from three to more than eight weeks, depending on your specific situation and the type of surgery that you have. During your recovery time you will need to rest. Avoid lifting and straining yourself and generally take it easy. The emotional turmoil alone can be difficult to handle but your doctor can explain more about your hormonal changes prior to your surgery.

Osteoporosis is a medical condition where the inside of your bones become porous or brittle causing them to be weaker and much more likely to break. Women tend to have less bone mass than men in general and losing bone mass can make the risk of breaking bones much higher. Osteoporosis in women can be caused by menopause or a number of other conditions, particularly when women are not getting enough calcium in their daily diets.

Whether it comes naturally or is caused by a hysterectomy, menopause can spark fear in any woman. You may have heard your mother or grandmother refer to this “change” in a negative light, causing you to dread the moment when your “change” comes. Dealing with menopause does not have to be a stressful experience. You should understand that virtually every woman on the planet is going to go through menopause at some point in her lifetime. Learning what menopause is and how to deal with it will help you to meet this “change” head on.