Rosanna Haslam was 34 when she first noticed signs she might be going through an early menopause.

The mother of two, from Bredhurst, Kent, was put on HRT in a bid to relieve her symptoms of depression, tender breasts and night sweats.

She said: "The HRT did help with the night sweats, but that's the only thing it helped with, the other symptoms were aggravated.

"My breasts were so sore. I couldn't wear clothes, and I couldn't cuddle my children

I wouldn't want to go back there again

Rosanna Haslam

"My depression also got worse. It got to the point where I didn't get out of bed.

"I also had lots of other little symptoms such as a sore tongue. I was vitamin deficient, I put weight on, and I had the feeling of having very heavy legs."

Diet change

Mrs Haslam said did worry about an increased risk of breast cancer while she was on HRT because her breasts were so tender.

"HRT didn't help at all. I can't say HRT did anything for me.

"I wouldn't want to go back there again."

Mrs Haslam was on HRT for 18 months, and tried different kinds of treatment, including pills and patches, during that time.

But she said: "It wasn't until I went to the nutrition advisory service that my symptoms were sorted out."

For the last two and a half diet now consists of plenty of soya, fruit and vegetables and fish.

"I feel totally different. I feel like a new woman.

"I wouldn't go back on HRT at all. There are other options, and doctors should talk through them."

Liz Batten, 45, originally turned to alternative therapies when she started experiencing menopausal symptoms.

She said: "I was having all the usual symptoms, but they were very severe. I was having hot flushes, night sweats and my concentration was being affected.

"I was also very tired because I wasn't sleeping.

Liz Batten: 'HRT was a wonder-drug for me'

"I first tried an alternative treatment. I went to a health food shop and got a book on diet, but it was so complicated that I found it very difficult to stick to.

"HRT was just an ideal solution for me."

Mrs Batten has been on hormone replacement therapy for about three years.

"The effect wasn't immediate. It probably took four to six months before it started to kick in."

Her symptoms have now disappeared.

"It just makes me feel more energised.

"It's changed my life for the better as it has partly because it has relieved my symptoms.

"For me, HRT has worked. I'm not that concerned - the benefits outweigh the risks, which I think are minimal for me.

"It's been an absolute wonder-drug for me."