If you're beginning the menopausal transition or recently reached menopause, you probably have a lot of questions about hormone therapy. Whether estrogen therapy alone, or estrogen plus progesterone (prescribed for women who still have their uterus), the issues around this commonly prescribed treatment for menopausal symptoms have become much more complex in recent years.

Although there are risks to hormone therapy, including an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots, most health care professionals agree that hormone therapy is still appropriate for perimenopausal and recently menopausal women with significant symptoms.

Plus, the North American Menopause Society pointed out in 2007 that the the use of estrogen therapy for more than 15 years may increase the risk of breast cancer; however, specific subgroups of women may be affected in different ways.

The key is tailoring hormone therapy to your individual needs, keeping a woman's risk for breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis in mind, and using the lowest dose of hormones for the shortest time possible. Today, with more than 20 varieties of hormone therapy on the market, that's much easier to do.

Start with your symptoms first, then determine with your health care professional what type of hormone therapy or other treatment might be right for you.

The first step? A visit with your health care professional.

Discuss your symptoms and questions you may have about hormone therapy and your health with your health care professional. Here are some suggested questions:

1. Am I experiencing the onset of menopause?

2. What treatment options are available to me for perimenopausal and postmenopausal health concerns, including hormone therapy and other medical therapies?

3. What are the pros and cons of the different types of hormone therapy?

4. I seem to have less interest in sex. Is that just to be expected and accepted with age? Are there treatment options that might help?

5. Am I at high risk for breast cancer? How does estrogen affect my risk?

6. What kinds of side effects can I expect when taking estrogen?

7. How long should I take hormone therapy?

8. I have some incontinence. Will hormone therapy help with that?

9. What options are available besides estrogen for my condition? What are the side effects of those products?

10. Can you discuss with me the most recent research about hormone therapy and its safety? How do the benefits and risks of the type of hormone therapy you're recommending apply to my personal health needs?

11. I don't want to take any kind of supplemental hormones. Are there other options?

12. What's the best way to stop hormone therapy when I'm ready?

Write your questions to ask here:

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