I took Premarin for about 10 years, I think it was. I stopped once the reports came out - figured it would do me more harm than good over the long haul. I'm a retired nurse, and not ashamed to say I took Premarin.

My menopause was not severe. I had had a hysterectomy when I was 30, but my ovaries were not removed. So I truly did not know when it all started. And I've been told that those of us who had an early hyst, do not have as many symptoms.

While I was taking it, it did what it was supposed to do. Once I stopped, I had some more hot spells - not really bad though. For my bones, I take calcium, Vitamin D, and walk at least a mile a day. My bone density is good, and I'm almost 70.

As for the weight gain around the middle - for some of us I swear it is inevitable. I have more there now than 10 years ago, and am fairly active. I'm also a Type 2 Diabetic. So I diet - and go to the gym every day. The middle is still there