All helpful, but the effects of bio-identical hormones are far more profound and lasting. According to JoAnn Manson, MD, head of the Women's Health Imitative, stated that HRT reduces the perimenopausal risk of heart attack by 25% and the lifetime risk of osteoporotic fracture by more in addition to symptomatic relief. "Natural remedies" have risks as does HRT, but the calculus on benefits for HRT are obvious. The real problem is your doctor doesn't know how to Rx HRT.