TherapeuticsMD announces FDA approval of ANNOVERA™ (segesterone acetate/ethinyl estradiol vaginal system) for birth control. ANNOVERA is the first long-acting prescription birth control that is patient-controlled, procedure-free and reversible.The ANNOVERA contraceptive vaginal system is a small, soft flexible ring that prevents ovulation for an entire year (13 cycles) and can be inserted and removed by a woman at her discretion in repeated four-week cycles (remaining in place…

TherapeuticsMD announces FDA approval of TX-001HR: BIJUVA™ (estradiol and progesterone) capsules for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause. BIJUVA is the first and only FDA-approved bio-identical hormone therapy combination of estradiol and progesterone in a single, oral capsule for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms (commonly known as hot flashes or flushes) due to menopause in women with a uterus. BIJUVA is expected to be available…

Everyone is obsessed with these wonderful walnuts from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC® Eating Well To Fight Arthritis cookbook. They have the perfect touch of spice, heat and sweet. Toss in salads, serve on cheese trays or eat as a snack.

I am 5'4 1/2" tall. When using the BMI calculator, should I use 5'4" or 5'5"?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ansh Labs' PicoAMH Elisa diagnostic test to help determine a woman's menopausal status. The PicoAMH Elisa test measures anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a marker of ovarian function, and is meant to be used in conjunction with other clinical assessments and laboratory findings. Data from 690 women aged 42 to 62 years showed that the PicoAMH Elisa test performed "reasonably well" at determining blood AMH levels and identifying women who had…

The first new flu drug in 20 years won approval Wednesday from the Food and Drug Administration.

The new antiviral, generically known as baloxavir marboxil but sold under the brand name Xofluza, is a single dose treatment. It is for use only in those aged 12 or more, the F.D.A. said, and should be taken only in the first two days after symptoms like fever, aches and sniffles appear.

The pill will cost $150, according to a spokeswoman for Genentech, which will sell Xofluza in this country. Genentech will offer coupons that lower the price to $30 for patients with health insurance and to about $90 for the uninsured.

Flu season has already begun, and last year’s was one of the most lethal in decades; about 80,000 Americans died of flu or its consequences, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier this month.

The new drug is no miracle cure and it is not approved for young children, who are one of the most vulnerable groups, so the C.D.C. still strongly recommends that every American over the age of six months get a flu shot as soon as possible.

Read first year Specialized Women’s Health fellow Dr. Taryn Smith’s guest column on what is new in menopause.

Tamanna Singh, MD, FACC is a clinical cardiologist and a member of the Sports Cardiology Center in the Robert and Suzanne Tomsich Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute. She sees patients at Cleveland Clinic main campus. Dr. Singh earned her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Boston Medical Center. She then completed a three-year fellowship in Adult Cardiovascular…

Cleveland Clinic -- Charis Eng, MD, PhD, Founding Chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Genomic Medicine Institute, Founding Director of the Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare, and internationally recognized leader in the cancer genetics field, has received the American Cancer Society’s prestigious Medal of Honor award. The annual award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in basic cancer research, clinical research and cancer control. Dr. Eng was honored alongside four…

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s column explaining Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO), and what can be done about the sky rocketing costs of medicines.

What hyaluronic acid vaginal cream do you recommend?

If taking antibiotics why is getting a spine epidural not allowed?

I'm losing handfuls of hair. I have two bald spots, one on the back of my head and one on the side. I don't know what to do. I've had my thyroid checked and it is in a normal range, and I'm doing meditation to reduce my stress.

Dr. Camille Moreno and Dr. Jessica Erickson discuss if aspirin is safe and effective to take for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker, Dr. Anna Camille Moreno and Dr. Sabrina K. Sikka discuss the genitourinary syndrome of menopause in breast cancer survivors and the treatments available in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine.When treating the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in women with breast cancer or at high risk of breast cancer, clinicians must balance the higher cancer risks associated with hormonal treatments against the severity of GSM symptoms, which can be exacerbated by breast…

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker's column on therapies for body and muscle pain.

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a human papillomavirus vaccine called Gardasil 9 for men and women between the ages of 27 and 45. The FDA previously approved the HPV vaccine for people age 9 to 26. Most HPV infections go away on their own, but some remain and can cause cervix, vagina and vulva cancer in women; penis cancer in men; and genital warts, anal cancer and head and neck cancers in both sexes. There are 150 viruses that make up HPV, but most are rare. Gardasil…

Lately, I have been falling asleep for no known reason. I will be sitting watching tv and nod off. Do you know what could cause this?

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s column on the latest research regarding anxiety and aging and what women can do to help with anxiety. Learn how you can protect your telomeres and reduce biological aging.

I have seen my gynecologist at least three times in the past year for vaginal itching. Nothing has relieved it, yet. First, I was treated for a yeast infection, but it didn't relieve anything. Then I was given a cream and instructed to take Benadryl at night. That is not working. I'm considering going to another gynecologist where I go for breast cancer care. I was having the itching problems prior to my masectomy, and nothing has ever helped. I've tried over the counter products and they don't work. My gynecologist tested me for cervical cancer and that was negative.