Final answer:
Menopause can cause discomforts such as hot flashes and insomnia, and Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate symptoms but carries risks causing physician hesitancy in prescribing it.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research indicates that women experience a range of discomforts and distress during menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, muscle pain, vaginal dryness, insomnia, depression, weight gain, and mood swings. The decline in estrogen affects calcium metabolism, leading to decreased bone density and increased osteoporosis risk. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate symptoms and prevent bone loss but poses risks such as stroke, heart attack, blood clots, and various cancers, leading to physician hesitancy in prescribing it. The complexity of menopause symptoms and treatment risks necessitates careful consideration in managing menopause.