Q. I took bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) to handle my horrible hot flashes. After taking it for three months, I started having pains in my breasts. A mammogram did not show any problems, but the recommendation was made that I stop taking the compounded HRT. The pain went away when I did so.

I did feel better while on BHRT. My doctor told me, though, that even compounded bioidentical HRT still counts as hormone treatment. Any thoughts?

A. For more than 50 years, physicians prescribed traditional hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms with the expectation that it would protect the cardiovascular system and the bones as well. The Women's Health Initiative in 2002 revealed that HRT could increase the risk for heart attacks, strokes and breast cancer.

Bioidentical hormone therapy has not been subjected to the same careful scrutiny as the WHI, so its long-term safety is still a question. For more information, on hormone pros and cons and other ways to deal with hot flashes, we offer our Guide to Menopause. Send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. W-50, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, N.C. 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 at peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. Milk of magnesia is great for blemishes. I started using it six months ago, and it really helped clear up my skin. It was better than the things my dermatologist prescribed.

I got lazy and stopped using it, and my face began to break out again. Now I apply the milk of magnesia every night before bed and leave it on all night. It can be a bit drying, but it works wonders for acne.

A. There are no studies of topical milk of magnesia for acne, but a letter in the Archives of Dermatology (January 1975) did mention this approach. Many readers also have shared their success with milk of magnesia to counteract blemishes.

PeoplesPharmacy.com.