I am an Estring (Estradiol Vaginal Ring) user. I have great difficulty removing it myself. Will it make a difference if I wait until my regular exam to have it removed? It will be 3 weeks later than the 3 month time period? I suppose the medication will be depleted by then. But is it that critical?

I am almost 65 and have stopped taking hormone replacement therapy after 20 years. I am sleepless and suffering from hot flashes. What can I take to lessen these effects?

Recent blood work revealed that my HDL is low. My new primary care physician seemed unconcerned. What can I do to raise my HDL level? My long time physician recently retired and scheduled blood work for me every three months. My new primary care physician is scheduling only every six months or 12 months. I am 80-years-old and get fairly good reports although my triglycerides and cholesterol are slightly elevated. Should I be concerned about this?

I have been taking birth control for a few months now. I accidentally dropped one down the sink so I took the next day one instead. Then that week I started my period even though I was still on the blue pills. I was reading that if you forget to take them the right way to throw out the current pack and start a new one, but I am still bleeding (not as heavy) but still enough to have to wear a pad or tampon.

Is this still normal since it has only been 3 months since I started taking birth control again (I am 42)?

I’ve been on the Atkins diet for about 3 months and have reached a plateau, how can I get past this stage and lose the remaining pounds?

I thought I had a urinary tract infection about three weeks ago and went on an antibiotic (Cipro). I am not feeling better and was told to go on Macrobid. It helped for awhile, however, the pressure, slight burning and frequency to urinate has returned. I was given Premarin and have used this for four nights, but I’m still not feeling better.

I did see a Urologist and all of the cultures have been negative. Any thoughts?

In 1989 I had breast cancer, my hair came out and never fully came back to it’s original fullness. As of now I wear wigs. Is there anything else that I could do as far as vitamins or diet are concerned? I had chemo, went through a period of menopause for a year, but, I had no other problems. I am healthy.

If I take Hormone Replacement Medication for my menopause symptoms, will I stop gaining weight?

I had a partial hysterectomy (still have my ovaries) and my G.P. told me I didn’t need pelvic exams. Several of my friends who have had the same procedure get pelvic exams. Should I have one?

I am losing hair. Do I need to start using Rograine or is it a temporary result of:

• A new diet started in last month eating 2/3 fruits and vegetables for every 1/3 protein and grain
• Dental work in last month - crown followed by root canal - many x-rays
• Menopause - I stopped over 10 years ago.

What should I do?