Nikki - the NICE guidelines clearly state the HRT is the front line treatment for meno symptoms - don't take any notice if negative press stories as so much if it is poorly researched or simply wrong.
The chall meg with hrt is finding the regime that suits you. We are all
Different so it can be trial and error till you find the combination that suits you. It's also unreasonable to expect to not to experience some side effects - so it is benefits versus side effects. There are more risks of breast cancer and stroke if we are overweight, smoke or drink too much alcohol, whereas taking hrt has many benefits.
You do not have to move to a conti regime like Livial now you are post meno - many women, well into their 60s, stick with a sequi regime because they feel better on it than in a conti hrt. The only down side of a sequential hrt is that you hav put up with a monthly bleed( which can be preferably to the erratic bleeding on a conti hrt) - although some women can get away with doing a slight longer cycle. DG x