Dr. Joanne Pinkerton

Menopause experts say there are safe combinations and doses of hormone therapy, and Dr. Joanne Pinkerton of the University of Virginia says age is one important factor on when to start.

If you're under age 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset, when you start hormone therapy...

you're going to see improvements in hot flashes, sweats, fewer sleep disruptions.

As well as protections against bone loss and fractures and potential benefits for heart health.

But she says not all women can take hormone therapy.

Those who have estrogen-sensitive breast or uterine cancer and those who've had heart attack strokes or blood clots can look for alternatives.

The FDA has approved two non-hormonal medicines to treat hot flashes.