I take bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and have for a couple of years and can't begin to tell you how much it has helped me and the difference it has made in how I feel (I'm sure my husband and daughter could chime in too on that).

Although both my estrogen and progesterone are bio-identical (not synthetic like Premerin etc.) they are both pharmaceutical meds which are prescribed for me by my gyn. The estrogen I take is Estrogel, the progesterone I take is Prometruim.

A couple of years ago at my annual gyn. appointment I had a range of symptoms and complaints that my doctor attributed to a lack of estrogen. After she said this several times, I laughed and said to her "you make estrogen sound like a wonder drug", her response was that for me it would be - she uses the same stuff she prescribed for me. I was skeptical but she was right. It made a significant difference in how I felt and really almost immediately. No more hot flashes for one thing, less moodiness i.e., normal moodiness and better sleep (the progesterone helps you sleep).

I am high risk for breast cancer but since it is bio-identical it poses no more risk to me than my normal hormones, and besides I am monitored closely for breast cancer.

I am not saying all menopausal women should take bio-identical hormones but I can say that for me it has made all the difference. There is a lot of information on the web about Prometrium (and compounded forms of progesterone) and Estrogel (which is Estradiol) and other types of estogen, if you are interested.

Good luck, I hope you find something that works well for you.