Women are on an ongoing cycle that begins in the early teens or even pre-teens with the onset of menstruation, carries on through the childbearing years and ends with menopause. Menopause causes numerous uncomfortable symptoms including hot flashes, mood swings and insomnia.

One method of easing these symptoms is hormone replacement therapy. However, according to an article on CBS News:

Hormone replacement therapy, a common treatment for menopausal women, is even more dangerous than previously thought, according to a new study.

The Journal of the American Medical Association's study says hormone replacement therapy, HRT, greatly increases a patient's chance of breast cancer.

However, ABC's Eyewitness News tells us that:

After some newly revised guidelines, the short-term use of hormone therapy has been considered safe in easing the symptoms of menopause.

The North American Menopause society says that the therapy is a "viable option for short-term treatment". However, they insist that the revised guidelines do not make fundamental changes to the current recommendations.