A new report sponsored by Novogen, Stamford, CT, and conducted by AccuData America, Fort Meyers, FL, was released in late August. It suggests many women may be suffering unnecessarily from symptoms of menopause due to concern and confusion about various forms of treatment and overall lack of communication with their healthcare providers. The report was based on a survey of 1140 women, aged 45 to 55, which was conducted in at the beginning of this year. Of the women surveyed, 78% considered hormone replacement therapy (HRT) dangerous or were unsure about its safety. Regarding natural alternatives, 96% were aware of the availability of these products over the counter; however, 59% never asked a healthcare professional about using them despite the fact that the majority surveyed identified physicians and nurse practitioners as their primary source for healthcare advice. When asked why, nearly 31% said it was because their physician was not open to, or would not approve of, alternative treatments; 23% said it was because they were going to forgo any type of treatment and “tough it out.” Interestingly, 69% of women said they had used neither HRT nor natural alternatives to alleviate their symptoms of menopause.