Sometimes women have other physical problems, such as vaginal dryness. While many women have little or no trouble with menopause, others have moderate to severe discomfort. Estrogen loss also raises a woman's risk for other serious health problems. They include heart disease and stroke, leading causes of death for women over the age of 50. Estrogen loss also can lead to bone loss.
Some bone loss is normal as people age.
However, a more serious condition called osteoporosis weakens bones and lets them break easily. It affects 24 million people in this country. Women have a higher risk than men. Doctors sometimes prescribe. Although millions of women take HRT, this may not be the right choice for everyone.