Ask the Nurse

Answers for your specific questions.

Wondering about your health? Confused by what you’ve read? Browse our Ask the Nurse answer archive to find answers to many women's health questions and concerns. All answers are from a Cleveland Clinic women's health nurse.

Ask the Nurse Archive

Getting Enough Calcium in your Diet when Lactose Intolerant

April 17, 2018 at 8:56am

I am age 62 and had triple negative breast cancer 11 years ago. I was treated aggressively, which put me into menopause instantly. I enjoyed eating yogurt and calcium rich foods until this past year when I developed a serious case of intolerance to dairy products - lactose intolerance.

I cannot seem to tolerate even lactose-free dairy. I know that I have osteopenia. What does a person like me do to get adequate calcium daily? I also am recovering from a total hip replacement that has slowed down my exercising for the past year. The only exercise that I can do is walk. How I can get enough calcium in my diet since I cannot tolerate any real dairy products?

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Treating Atrophy With Estrogen

April 10, 2018 at 1:28pm

I’m interested in Mona Lisa on laser rejuvenation procedures. Also, as a practitioner, I’m curious about recent research on testosterone pellets for post-menopausal women.

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Treatment for a Thickened Endometrium

March 19, 2018 at 2:33pm

I am 61 and went through menopause at age 50-51. On a routine check-up, I had a vaginal ultrasound which indicated a thickened endometrium - the doctor said about 7mm.

The endometrium biopsy is "benign endometrial hyperplasia". The pap smear was negative and I have no symptoms, I am not overweight, and I have never been on any estrogen or any type of hormone therapy.

I’ve had 5 normal vaginal births and 1 miscarriage (at 3 weeks) due to the flu. My doctor wants to do a D&C next, but I do not understand why I cannot try treatment with progestin first. He became agitated when I brought up that option. This is a new doctor to me; I had to switch due to insurance, and I am not confident with him.

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Overactive Bladder and Water Soluble Pumpkin Seed Extract

March 16, 2018 at 2:31pm

What is your take on water soluble pumpkin seed extract for over active bladder symptoms? I’ve been reading about it and it appears that studies show there can be much improvement. I also have a few more questions:

  1. How many mg should one take per day for best results? A nutritionist recommended 2x the mg on the bottle dosage, approximately 1200 mg per day.
  2. How long does it take before one sees improvement? And if one does not see a marked improvement after say a month, is it best to abandon the supplement or go for say 6 months?
  3. Is it better to take soy isoflavones with the extract?

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Is Nausea A Menopausal Symptom

March 14, 2018 at 5:10pm

For the past few months, I’ve been experiencing what feels like random morning sickness. For no apparent reason, the thought or smell of certain foods will nauseate me and trigger an anxiety attack.

It’s worse soon after I wake up, but it can happen at any time of the day. I’m 45, not pregnant and having irregular periods. Could these "food aversions" be caused by perimenopause? How can I make it stop?

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Colonoscopy and Hemorrhoidectomy

March 14, 2018 at 4:57pm

Will having a colonoscopy disturb or make worse where I had a hemorrhoidectomy 4 years ago?

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Influenza Type A and B

February 19, 2018 at 9:50am

Can you catch Type A flu and Type B flu at the same time? I am 72 and exposed to both.

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Hormone Therapy and Heart Surgery

February 18, 2018 at 9:00pm

I had my aortic valve replaced in 2015. Everything is normal now, but should I use hormone therapy for heart protection? I am post-menopausal since 2008.

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Osteoporosis Treatment After Knee Surgery

February 6, 2018 at 10:17am

I had knee replacement surgery a month ago. My surgeon was very concerned about my bones. He said they were very soft. I previously had primary hyperthyroidism and had surgery in June. How long after my total knee replacement surgery should I wait to start treatment for osteoporosis?

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Early Menopause

February 1, 2018 at 2:30am

I am 38 years old and BRCA 1 positive with a family history of premenopausal breast cancer. I’m done having children and my OB suggests having a hysterectomy and removing my tubes and ovaries.

I’m very afraid of going through menopause. He suggested a low dose of Estrogen to start out. What would be the benefit (if any) of starting out on a natural hormone replacement vs estrogen? I hated taking birth control when I was younger because of the way it made me feel and I am concerned estrogen will be the same. Thank you!

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