My doctor has put me on HRT because they think that I am going through the menopause. I am overwhelmed by this and I'm not feeling too sure about HRT. The doctor seems to think that this will help my symptoms - headaches, itchy skin, vaginal dryness, yeast infections that won't go away, and fatigue. Can you help?

The symptoms you are experiencing are all usually caused by falling oestrogen so in that sense the HRT should help, however, I know a lot of women are not happy about taking it.

You could look at a fermented soya supplement, such as Menopause Support, as this is traditionally used for gently raising and balancing oestrogen so should help to relieve the symptoms, although it does take about 4-6 weeks to start showing benefit - but it should not be taken alongside HRT.

In the meantime, you may find a magnesium supplement helps with the headaches, Milk Thistle and nettle tea for the itchy skin, Sea Buckthorn Oil Capsules are known to help with vaginal problems and Molkosan Vitality, plus cutting out all sugary foods, may help with the yeast infections.

Eileen Durward