If you're confused about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for the treatment of menopause, and the media stories that surround it, you're not alone. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Enzymatic Therapy^® found that over 50 percent of women were fearful or confused about HRT for the treatment of menopause.

We've all read about the negative effects of hormone replacement therapy. But, we still want something to make us feel better and relieve the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Unfortunately, few doctors offer much information about alternatives, even though nearly half of women surveyed say that they or somebody they know is interested in finding a natural solution.

The fact is, women shouldn't have to put their health at risk to avoid a hot flash. Naturopathic medicine tells us to look for science-based natural alternatives to deal with the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. The goal here should be restoring the function naturally instead of replacing it with synthetic alternatives.

To fully appreciate this, we really need to understand what is happening to hormonal balance as we get older. Many women have been led to believe their varied hormone-related menopausal symptoms are caused by estrogen deficiency and should be treated with hormone replacement therapy. That's not necessarily the case. It is a case of too much estrogen and not enough progesterone - the exact opposite of what women are being told.

Our goals should be first to keep our endocrine systems functioning effectively as much as possible so hormonal disruption is minimized, and second to mitigate the symptoms of inevitable and natural hormonal changes. To successfully ease symptoms of menopause and support bone and heart health, we must address the underlying cause of estrogen dominance and overall imbalance. HRT for the treatment of menopause is a step in the wrong direction.

To do this, look for products that are designed to deliver natural relief for menopause and pre-menopause symptoms safely, effectively and naturally. After all, you owe it to yourself to work with your body rather than against it.