The see-saw debate over the safety of hormone replacement therapy has moved again.. this time in the favor of the treatment.

For millions of women suffering the miseries of menopause, hormone replacement therapy may be back in their doctors' black bag. 

In 2002, when a major study linked h-r-t to higher rates of heart disease and breast cancer, many physicians crossed it off their prescription pads.

Now a review of the data by the North American Menopause Society has cast doubt on the previous study.

It says that women between the ages of 50 and 59 are not necessarily at higher risk of heart problems or stoke from h-r-t.

The breast cancer risk is still real.

But, this can be lessened or even reversed, by using an estrogen-only pill.

One expert says the findings could have a very big impact on women's health care.

They key is a woman's individual medical profile-- and that manes close consultation with her doctor.