As a nurse I can say that it can take the human body up to a year to fully recover from the effects of surgery. As a soon to be 53 year old deep in the throes of menopause I can fully sympathize with everyone out there. I tried the HRT without much success. I actually felt worse on the replacements than I did off...no energy, increased appitite, weight gain, the whole ugly picture. The OTC herbal treatments worked in the early stages but reached a point where they were ineffective also. I'm currently using the low dose estrogen patch and feel my best while on it. Not perfect, but better. I also agree that exercise helps although it frustrates me when my hormones, or lack of them, affects my performance. The truth of the matter is that what may work for one woman, won't necessarily work for another. It's an individual process and a matter of hit and miss to find the right symptom relieving treatment. Hang in there, keep trying and don't be afraid to talk to your doctor or health care provider. That's what they are there for.