If you are experiencing some of the many symptoms from menopause, you likely are very anxious to find relief. There are some methods of menopause relief that work, although some are known to be a bit safer than others.

Perhaps you have heard of HRT, the most common by far of all medical solution to help sufferers of these symptoms. In recent years some research has pointed to rather negative side-effects that are related to this therapy however, and many women are seeking something safer. This new therapy most prescribed is called "bio-identical hormone replacement therapy" – which is very much the same, only the medicine used are natural, coming from whole ingredients such as wild yam and soy.

The function behind BHRT is the same as the pharmaceuticals that are used, namely to boost the hormones such as estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body. As a woman ages these hormones decrease, which is the main cause of all the suffering that women go through. In order to elevate these levels to a more natural level, some sort of chemical replacement must be taken. However, many people believe that a natural hormone replacement is much safer and less toxic to the body.

So how to bio-identical hormones work? Basically they are compounds that are mixed together in a mixture that is specific to each woman, after testing is done to find the levels that are needed for her body. In any case, bio-identical forms of hormones can be produced in what is called a compounding pharmacy, and these bio-identicals are similar in chemical structure to the real hormones such as estradiol, estrone or estriol. There is some debate over whether these are any safer than the ones that are given by a doctor from the pharmacy, so the research so far is not completely conclusive.

According to the Mayo clinic, which did a report in 2007 concerning bio-identical hormones for women, they state that: "Bio-identical hormones are custom-mixed formulas containing various hormones that are chemically identical in structure to those naturally made by your body. These prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products are marketed as being tailored to a woman's individual hormone needs, which are typically determined through saliva hormone testing. Manufacturers claim that bio-identical hormones are safer than standard, FDA-approved hormone therapy."

While the debate rages on about how safe BHRT really is, there is certainly evidence that traditional HRT (pharmacy brand) has some real serious risks, such as increased risk of heart disease, breast cancer, and even strokes. Since bio-identical hormones are similar in nature, it hasn’t been ruled out that they may possess the same dangers. More study is needed to confirm any findings whether this is true.

One thing is for sure, the better care you take of your health in general the fewer problems it is believed you may have in coping with menopause symptoms. Regular exercise, healthy eating habits, drinking plenty of water and even taking extra vitamins and especially calcium are definitely recommended.