Dr. Holly L. Thacker and Dr. Holly J. Pederson discuss why some women are at an increased risk of getting breast cancer and what are some of the other "red flags" that point to increased genetic risk for several cancers.

Another drug has been added to a recall for medication used to treat high blood pressure. Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited is recalling several batches of Losartan Potassium tablets, the FDA announced Thursday. Losartan is reportedly used to treat hypertension, hypertensive patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, and for the treatment of nephropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients. The recall states that “trace amounts” of N-Methylnitrosobutyric acid, which is a known carcinogen, have been…

A substance that could cause cancer has been found in some ranitidine heartburn and ulcer medicines, including the brand-name drug Zantac, and the source of this contamination is being investigated, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. While preliminary tests found low levels of the nitrosamine impurity N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in some ranitidine products, the FDA said this does not mean patients taking the drugs should stop using them now.

Exposure to fluoroquinolone antibiotics is linked to a heightened risk of left-sided valvular regurgitation, analysis of adverse event reporting data showed. Fluoroquinolones overall held a significant 45% higher likelihood of valvular regurgitation events reported to the FDA Adverse Events Reporting Systems (FAERS) than did other drugs from 2004 to 2018, reported Mahyar Etminan, PharmD, MSc, of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and colleagues in the Journal of the American…

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s column on new therapies for low libido and the latest treatment options for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder.

Speaking of Women's Health guest columnists Dana Leslie, CNP and Dr. Ula Abed Alwahab discuss Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and the symptoms women should look out for.

Read guest columnist Chad Schlesinger, MBA-HCA Cleveland Clinic Women’s Health Institute Educational Program Manager’s column on postgraduate women’s health education and our Specialized Women’s Health Fellowship.

Case vignette A 46-year-old patient presented to our specialty women’s health clinic with vaginal bleeding. Previously, this patient was treated at our facility for early-stage breast cancer. As part of her treatment, she had a hysterectomy, oophorectomy and was on a long-term adjuvant course of aromatase inhibitors (AIs). The patient was very concerned that the etiology of the bleeding was cancerous. On exam, we determined that a urethral caruncle—a large friable red mass—was…

I have been on bioidentical hormone creams for 25 years with great results. I recently decided to try the pellet, which was inserted in my left hip. After one week, I had a shingles outbreak in my left foot and lower left leg. I had the first shingles shot 20 years ago, but have not had the new shot. I love the results and simplicity of the pellet, but I'm hesitant to get another, so I went back on the creams. Do you think there could have been a connection to the pellet and shingles or just a coincidence?

I am 67 years old and recently had my yearly blood work done. My vitamin B12 level is >1500. My liver enzyme ALT is 39. I have been told that I have a fatty liver.

Can you give me advice concerning the high level of B12?

Guest columnists, Heather Mekesa and Dr. Silvia Perez Protto discuss the importance of organ, tissue and eye donation. Heather Mekesa is the Chief Hospital and Clinical Services Officer at LifeBance and Dr. Silvia Perez Protto is a Cleveland Clinic physician.

A medical procedure that aims to allow women to delay the menopause for up to 20 years has been launched by IVF specialists in Britain. Doctors claim the operation could benefit thousands of women who experience serious health problems, such as heart conditions and bone-weakening osteoporosis, that are brought on by the menopause. But the specialists believe the same procedure could also improve the lives of millions more women by delaying the onset of more common symptoms of the menopause,…

Read Women’s Health Specialist Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s and Cleveland Clinic Rheumatologist Dr. Feyrouz Al-Ashkar‘s column on autoimmune diseases in women and what you need to know!

I have chronic migraines that are much more intense and frequent from ovulation to starting my period. I am on an estradiol patch, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Can this help with migraines?

I was wondering if I could use multiple vaginal estrogen therapies on alternating days? I cannot use the new DHEA Medicine (Intrarosa®).