BALTIMORE -- Two years ago, doctors stopped prescribing hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women, fearing that the procedure causes more damage than good. But now, some doctors recommend a lower dose of the estrogen hormone, WBAL-TV 11 News Health Alert reporter Donna Hamilton reported.

Sheila Brune, 65, has taken estrogen for 15 years for typical reasons. She explained her symptoms of menopause: "[I was] bothered by hot flashes, all the other little things that go around with it."

Several years ago, Brune had a complete hysterectomy and she's now taking low-dose estrogen, but the decision wasn't easy.

"You hear conflicting things, one to prevent heart attack, then the pro, to help prevent osteoporosis [and] the breast cancer thing is involved," Brune said.

But Dr. Dwight Im of Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center said many women say they are miserable without the hormones.

"Last year, we all said, 'You know, it's bad for you. Unless you have problems, don't take it,' " Im said. "I've had more patients who are now rethinking: 'I've been off for a while, but this is miserable, this is not living. I don't care if it causes cancer, I'm going to go back.' "

For those women, Im said a lower dose of estrogen is a good option.

"On the other hand, if you are 65, 70 years old, have minimal symptoms, there's really very little reason to go back on the hormones," Im said.

According to Im, studies show low-dose estrogen can help strengthen bones, something that interested Brune because she sees her mother suffering from osteoporosis.

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