Clinicians should target a regimen for birth control that is simple and medically appropriate to help cut down on the significant rate of unintended pregnancies, Pelin Batur, MD, NCMP, CCD, education director in primary care women’s health at the Cleveland Clinic, told Healio Family Medicine. “With all contraceptives, when you put human error into it, the effectiveness goes down,” Batur said. Another step practices can take to improve use of contraception is to recognize that screening for…

New study evaluates effect of menopause and depression on vascular functionHeart disease remains the leading cause of death in women. A study of 138 menopausal women examined the association of mood, symptoms, and quality of life measures with the key markers of vascular aging, a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). It’s no secret that the…

Menopause can have a substantial impact on a woman's bone density and risk for osteoporosis, but there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for dealing with the issue. Dr. Holly L. Thacker and other women health experts weigh in on when, how to prevent osteoporosis in midlife women.

Hospitals and medical institutions across the country are offering more programs specifically designed with the needs of women patients in mind. While many health conditions pose the same risks to men and women, there are often gender-specific differences in how certain diseases develop, in the presentation of signs and symptoms, and how a patient responds to treatment. Speaking of Women's Health Executive Director Dr. Holly L. Thacker discusses how women’s health needs are affected by…

A new class of drugs for menopausal hot flushes works within three days (75% reduction) and does not increase estrogen levels. Bringing hope to women - especially those who can’t take hormone therapy.A neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) antagonist was effective at improving vasomotor symptoms without the need for estrogen exposure, both in the short and long-term, researchers reported. The oral NK3R antagonist MLE4901 was able to reduce the frequency of hot flashes by 72% by day 3 of treatment…

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are well established. However, little is known about a woman’s cardiovascular response to pregnancy, which appears to be an early marker of future maternal CVD risk. Spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) has been associated with a ≤3-fold increased risk of maternal CVD death later in life compared with having a term delivery. This review focuses on 3 key areas to critically assess the association of sPTD and future maternal CVD risk: (1) CVD risk factors,…

The American Heart Association issued a stark warning Thursday for women with breast cancer: Lifesaving therapies like chemotherapy and radiation can cause heart failure and other serious cardiac problems, sometimes years after treatment. The organization said patients and doctors shouldn’t avoid the treatments but instead take steps to prevent or minimize the cardiac risks. It stressed that breast cancer survivors can improve their chances of a long, healthy life by exercising regularly and…

PlushCare selected the Speaking of Women's Health column as one of the top 10 women's health blogs in 2018.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the approval of olaparib (Lynparza, AstraZeneca) to include the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in patients who carry the specific inherited BRCA mutation. These patients can be identified by using the FDA-approved genetic test, BRAC Analysis CDx (Myriad Genetic Laboratories). About 10% to 15% of patients with any type of breast cancer have a BRCA mutation, the agency notes. Olaparib acts as an inhibitor of the enzyme…

Women who undergo hysterectomy before age 35 may face significantly higher long-term heart risks, even if their ovaries are preserved, a study found. The research by experts at Mayo Clinic focused on more than 2,000 US women who had their uterus removed but left their ovaries intact -- widely considered the most desirable option if possible because it prevents a woman from entering early menopause.

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has published its recommendation against the use of combined estrogen and progestin and of estrogen alone in women with prior hysterectomy for the prevention of chronic conditions in postmenopausal women (a D recommendation).

Highest risk occurs in first year after discontinuation, especially in women aged younger than 60 years.Hormone therapy (HT) continues to be a hotly debated topic. The benefits of estrogen to the heart, however, appear to be universally accepted. A new study demonstrates that the risk of cardiac and stroke death actually increases in the first year after discontinuation of HT. Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society…

Women with a low BMI could have an increased risk of early menopause. A study reveals 30% higher odds of early menopause in underweight women (BMI, < 18.5 kg/m2), while overweight women (BMI, 25 kg/m2 to 29.9 kg/m2) had a significant 21% to 30% lower odds. Early menopause is associated with increased health risks for CVD, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and earlier mortality. Early menopause affects fertility, which is critical in women who continue to delay childbearing.

FDA approves and ACIP recommends Shingrix for adults aged 50 years and older to prevent shingles.Almost 1 out of 3 people in the US will develop shingles during their lifetime, and there are approximately 1 million cases a year. Most people who get shingles will have it only once. However, it is possible to get it a second or even third time. The risk of getting shingles increases with age, especially after age 50. The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). About…

Dr. Anna Camille Moreno discusses the new U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's recommendation on cervical cancer screening.

PHILADELPHIA (CBS)—Fifteen years ago, scientists said hormone replacement therapy was risky. Now the research is showing it does not increase premature deaths. Hormones were once considered a fountain of youth for menopausal women, but millions stopped taking them after the 2002 landmark study revealed hormone therapy could increase the risk of breast cancer, strokes and heart disease. But now, follow-up research says women who took either estrogen or a combined estrogen-progestin…

About half of women begin menopause by age 51 years, according to the National Institute on Aging, and some women may experience its symptoms as much as a decade before that. “It is very important for primary care physicians to be involved and assess for menopause in women of this age because a lot of women past childbearing years do not necessarily continue to see their OB/GYN,” said Holly L. Thacker, MD, professor and chair of the Center for Specialized Women's Health at Cleveland Clinic…

Dr. Holly L. Thacker shares advances and innovations in women's health.Live Well: August 2017 -- An informed woman is a strong woman. Understanding the latest innovations and options for treating health problems can improve lifestyle, longevity and outlook on life. Research is uncovering new ways to treat common problems women face, from a leaky bladder to depression during pregnancy. We talked to three Ohio hospital systems about innovations in women’s health that are providing more treatment…

Dr. Holly L. Thacker is named "Top Doctor" in the August 2017 edition of Cleveland Magazine. This is a tremendous honor that recognizes both Dr. Thacker's commitment to her patients and to Cleveland Clinic.

July 2017 -- Speaking of Women's Health's column is named best women's health blog in 2017. Healthline carefully selected the most up-to-date, informative, and inspiring blogs that aim to uplift their readers through education and personal stories. Read More