WHEN hormone replacement therapy first became widely available it was hoped it would not only relieve symptoms of the menopause such as mood swings and hot flushes, but also reduce the risk of disease.

Former EastEnders actress Carol Harrison (Tiffany's mum) proclaimed that HRT made her feel "naughty, funky, sexy, wild", while other high profile fans included Joan Collins and Kate O'Mara.

But after research showing that the long-term use of some HRTs can increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, strokes and heart disease, increasing numbers of women are turning to natural alternatives.

For property manager Sara Dench, middle age brought heavy and prolonged bleeding caused by fibroids in her womb. Blood tests two years ago showed that she was pre-menopausal and she was referred to hospital for a scan.

"I was told I have to have a hysterectomy and have it all out. I said: 'No way - I'm going home to think about it.' I was really distressed," she recalled.

"If I'd had a hysterectomy, I would have been laid up for three months. I also have a heart defect, so going under a general anaesthetic would not be very good for me."

Sara contacted complementary therapist Vicky Lee, who put her on an alternative treatment plan. Within months, the fibroids shrank.

"Since then I have been taking homeopathic progesterone cream and homeopathic capsules for hot flushes," said Sara, now 47, of Bransgore.

"Progesterone cream works for me and I would strongly recommend it for any woman going through the menopause. I was getting very bad flushes about six months ago. Now I have one or two a week."

Barbara Robinson, of Broadstone in Poole, was prescribed HRT several years ago. "I had gone through the menopause and wasn't feeling too good. I asked for help and was put on a low dose HRT. It didn't seem to help, so the dosage was increased. I started to get side effects," she said.

Although the hot flushes disappeared, she developed other symptoms. "I went very puffy, had stomach pains and my thyroid and pituitary gland stopped functioning properly," she said.

She put on two stone in weight, felt exhausted and developed an intolerance to wheat. "I decided to drop the HRT. That's when I started looking for alternatives," she said.

"I read an article about natural progesterone and eventually found a doctor who would prescribe it on a private prescription basis. I tried it and it suited me."

After a couple of years, Barbara stopped using the cream with no ill effects. "I was fine. My hormone levels were still balanced," she said.

The experience prompted her to start holding meetings for other people interested in alternatives to HRT. "I realised there were a lot of women out there who wanted this information," she said.

"Since then we have learnt more. Doctors and practitioners who have offered natural alternatives to HRT are finding that if women have good nutrition and supplements to get their mineral levels up, and avoid hormone disrupting chemicals that come in many household products, usually the body balances the hormones naturally."

She added: "Many women feel they are perfectly happy with their HRT and if it is their choice, it's up to them. However, I would like women to know that there are effective natural remedies available. I'm 62 now and I feel better than I did at 40."

Dr John Millward, who runs the Southbourne Natural Health Centre in Bournemouth with Vicky Lee, believes that the drugs industry is responsible for creating an artificial demand for HRT.

"More than 90 per cent of women who attend our clinic seeking natural HRT as an alternative to prescription medicine do not have a hormone problem," he stated.

Vicky herself uses a natural progesterone cream with colloidal vitamins and minerals. "I had osteoporosis which has reversed using these products," she claimed.

Among the herbal treatments for symptoms of menopause are dong quai, black cohosh, red clover, sage and agnus

castus.

A national herbal advice line manned by a qualified medical herbalist is open from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday on 0906 802 0117. Calls cost 60p a minute.

Sherrill Sellman, an international speaker on women's health and author of the book Hormone Heresy, will be speaking at the Miramar Hotel, Grove Road, Bournemouth, at 7.30pm on Thursday October 16. Admission is £5 (advance tickets on 01202 693142) and proceeds will go to the Cancer Prevention Centre.