Real Benefits HRT’s a help to menopausal women, easing side effects like hot flashes. Trade-off: Increased risk of both breast cancer and, slightly (a new study says), heart attack.
Myth? Studies suggest HRT may not fight heart disease, as widely thought. ‘[A] leading reason for using the best-selling drug in America has never been established and might well not be true.’ (N.Y. Times)
Beauty Benefits ‘I can usually pick out the women who are taking it, because they look much younger than their age, and they don’t look … shrunk or dried up,’ says paid hormone spokeswoman Lauren Hutton
Alternative Estrogen To limit breast-cancer risk, some use phyto-estrogens from plants like soybeans. But ‘when it comes to the discomfort of menopause, don’t expect a miracle [from soy].’ (Chi. Tribune)
