TEHRAN -- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) came on the scene more than 50 years ago, hormone therapy was touted as an elixir that kept women young and attractive. More recently, doctors have asked women approaching menopause to consider hormone replacement therapy, not only to ease them through the transition to midlife but also to slow some of the health risks that accompany their bodies reduce levels of female hormones.

Making the decision to use HRT has never been a simple one, and new studies have made the choice even more complicated. For instance, HRT was thought to help reduce a woman's chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

Women today are more reluctant to start HRT than they were even five or ten years ago, and their physicians are less likely to recommend it, says Vanessa Barnabei, MD. Ph.D. associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She estimates only about 10% to 20% of U.S. woman are using HRT currently.

Women who choose HRT are typically prescribed a combination of two synthetic female hormones, estrogen and progesterone.

Dr. Barnabile says the FAD (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which sanction HRT and other prescription medications) lists only these health benefits of HRT use: Relief of hot flashes, vaginal dryness and protection against osteoporosis.

Some research studies claim HRT may help prevent macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease and colon cancer. Doctors regard these and other recent studies as "observational " and not as conclusive as randomize controlled clinical trails, which are the gold standard in medical research.

Do you know the health risks naturally in increase with age. Some women experience unpleasant side effects such as hot flashes, sleep problems, vaginal dryness and mood swings, but many women make the transition through menopause with little difficulty. Depression is common in midlife women.

Menopause can affect both the qualities of women's life and life span. The risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer increases with age. Heart disease is the No.1 cause of death in U.S. women, accounting for 31% of female deaths more than lung and breast cancer combined.

Approximately 50% of women who live to age 85 will develop osteoporosis, and 20% will fall and fracture a hip. Of that number, one in six will die within three months due to fracture complications. One in eight American women will experience breast cancer, up significantly from one in 20, just two decades ago.

Even though heart disease is the leading cause of women death, many people believe breast cancer is their biggest health risk, because many women have avoided HRT out of fear that it increases the risk of breast cancer. Doctors say the HRT risk is over blown.