I have just finished going off of Premarin, due to being on it for Hormone Replacement Therapy, (HRT). The reason I went off of it, is that I have been on it for a little over 5 years, and I just got a bad mammogram with a couple cysts, which the ultrasound showed were benign. I don't want to chance it. So the question is what should I take to reduce osteoporosis. And is there something else that will help me since this was taken because of a complete hysterectomy. I heard that women get Altzheimers at a later date if they are not on HRT. Have you heard anything about this?

Soaringhorse, are you suggesting that the Premarin caused the cysts? I've heard horror stories about almost all HRT, but I don't believe all are true. All this TV and newspaper coverage about HRT causing breast cancer is probably just a big scare. I know women that's been on HRT for years, and never had a bad mammogram. A lot of women only take Vitamin C to help combat osteoporosis. I don't believe that women get Altzheimers, if they are not on HRT, because there are so many men that get it, too.
Why not just ask your ob/gyn, if taking Vitamin C, will be enough to help combat osteoporosis. I understand your concern. Maybe someone else can shed a littlt more light on this question.

Well, the reports keep saying one month the premarin can cause breast cancer, the next month it doesn't. But I am still not going to take that chance. I did start a regimen of calcium supplements, though. I'm not quite sure about the Altzheimers, I heard on the news again this morning, that it said with women that do take HRT, there may be dimentia in later years, hmmmmmm.

Actually, ladies, scientific studies have indicated that hormone replacement therapy leads to an increase in heart disease, cancer and female dementia.
I would recommend talking to your doctor (I assume you talked with him/her before stopping your medication in the first place) about osteoporosis. There are many supplements out there, even some that are just pure calcium.
Also, drink lots of milk!

I too am on HRT. My doctor said it was far more likely I'd get osteoporosis from not taking it than getting breast cancer if I didn't.

My breasts are full of cysts and always have been. I have 13 on one side and 14 on the other. They're not harmful at all, but they may have to be aspirated if they get too full of fluid. The main thing is, check with your doctor before you let anyone persuade you that you need to have them removed or anything.

Catty