Consider hormonal therapy. Many women experiencing the initial stages of menopause decide whether or not they will take hormonal therapy. Estrogen remains the best overall treatment for menopausal women, due to its ability to reduce the rate of bone loss, memory loss and risk of heart disease, as well as to improve sleep and relieve episodes of hot flashes. I'm not pointing you in either direction; see your physician for help in making an educated decision based on your specific health factors.

Here are some of the benefits:

Helps prevent osteoporosis. Calcium is best used in the presence of estrogen. It is estimated that if all eligible women took this therapy, 50 to 70 per cent of osteoporotic fractures would be prevented.

Helps reduce hip and spinal compression fractures.

Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease by 50 per cent (40 per cent of women die from heart disease) because estrogen raises levels of hdl - the "good" cholesterol.

Increases libido. As you lose estrogen, you also lose androgens.

Decreases episodes of hot flashes.

Improves short-term memory. Estrogen supplements may cut the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 50 per cent.

Reduces urinary incontinence.

Improves sleep patterns.

Here are some of the problems associated with hormonal therapy:

Increased risk of breast cancer (10 per cent of women die from breast cancer).

Uterine tumors grow more quickly in the presence of estrogen.

Contraindicated for individuals suffering from vein and liver disease, and breast or endometrial cancer.

Some women decide against hormone therapy and instead use a diet rich in phytoestrogens as their answer to menopause. To relieve hot flashes and other symptoms they consume large quantities of certain foods - primarily soybean products - that contain estrogen-like compounds. However, many physicians warn against this protocol because the safety and efficacy of these foods have not been studied sufficiently. The intake of phytoestrogens varies according to the food sources, and high concentrations may be less safe than an approved pharmaceutical product, especially if progesterone is not provided for endometrial protection as would routinely be done with hormonal therapy.

Other women take natural herbal remedies, but many physicians are also cautious about these because the industry is unregulated and more research is required to substantiate claims.

New research is coming to the forefront on these issues every day, so it is critical that you consult your physician regarding alternative therapies to manage menopause. Regularly review the latest findings to learn how they may affect your decision.

Finally, you know what they say: you are what you eat. If you are serious about slowing down the rate at which you're aging, you must adhere to the suggestions in this strategy. Looking good and feeling great is definitely within your reach.