Recommended Drugs for Bones, HRT for menopausal symptoms - Are these Really Necessary?

Should we be taking HRT to replace hormones waning during menopause? I'm not sure I will. My experience of taking hormones dates back to my twenties, when the doctor put me on the pill. My breasts grew (I maintain they were always bigger since that time), I put on 10 lbs and I was tearful a good part of the month each month, plus PMS was way worse than before. When I switched to the IUD before my husband and I wanted children, I was much happier. I am peri-menopausal and have those hot flashes occasionally, but it is not enough to make me want HRT, because of my bad experience. Now it seems evidence is coming to light that HRT may not be such a good thing afterall. If something is known to cause cancer, why take it for a few years?

ANDRE PICARD (Globe and Mail, Canada)
GLOBE AND MAIL

ALSO, WITH REGARD TO TAKING DRUGS TO STRENGTHEN BONES:
Could it be that these drugs could actually end up harming our bones? This was an interesting read and I had absolutely no idea before reading this:

www.womentowomen.com