I have found that what has helped me the most to retain voice quality is working with appropriate herbs and following the Blood Type diet. As a Blood Type O I found that avoiding wheat and dairy reduced my respiratory problems (esp recurring colds, flus and sore throats, and a generally mucousy condition even when not sick) to almost none. (I had colds and ear aches all the time as a child, and frequently as an adult whenever eating a fair amount of these foods.) Respiratory illness makes it really hard to sing (!), and the after effects are almost as bad.

Herbs have been really helpful in curbing my reproductive difficulties, both premenopausal and menopausal. (I don't get hot flashes to speak of-- especially if I curb my alcohol consumption-- which other folks say is also not good for the voice). I also use herbs at the first sign of respiratory illness if I've been stupid enough to "cheat". Osha Root is excellent for knocking down a sore throat, and many Native American singers use it during the longer (many days long) ceremonies where they are singing continuously.

As for HRT-- It's been pretty well documented in Britain and elsewhere that it is dangerous for most women-- and there are reliable safe herbal alternatives. As far as soy products, the extensive research into Blood Types indicates that Soy is very good for Blood Type A-- the most likely blood type to develop cancer--and the most prevalent blood type in Japan-- but it is not good for Type B, according to some research. Other research has indicated soy can in some people cause thyroid problems. I will say that my sister--Blood Type B-- has developed a thyroid disease and quit eating soy when she heard it could cause such. (She does not follow the BLood Type protocol.) If I were an A I would definitely do soy, but I wouldn't count on it to help much in my case. It mostly gives me gas!

As to the emotional changes that may come with menopause-- I am much more mellow now than when I was PMSing-- but I also try to avoid coffee (not recommended for Os, it messes with both adrenals and thyroid)-- and drink lots of chamomile tea instead. Since I have started eating for my Blood Type I no longer need coffee to jump start me-- I have lots of energy-- so it's way easier to avoid the caffeine. And if this sounds like deprivation, I can only say it's lots better than arthritis, being cranky all the time, and feeling like I never get enough sleep--which is how life was before! I'm not afraid of menopause any more because I feel healthy and strong.

Bekki