A new study suggests that peanut allergy can be prevented at a young age by embracing peanuts, not avoiding them. Eating peanut products as a baby significantly reduces the risk of developing the allergy by 80% in high-risk infants, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests. Peanuts are one of the leading causes of food allergy reaction and can be fatal.

Speaking of Women's Health has joined the Read Aloud 15 MINUTES National Campaign that encourages all parents to know, if you wait to read, it's too late.Before elementary school. Before kindergarten. Before preschool. Children are learning. Not just learning; they are building the foundations that will support their education for years to come. Science has proved that birth to age 5 is perhaps the most important period of development in a child's life. That's why Speaking of Women's Health…

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker's article that discuss new research showing that postmenopausal women on menopausal hormone therapy have a higher success rate with total joint replacements.

Online Health Chat with Megan Lutz, MD, MPHJanuary 13, 2015 Description While a good portion of "pregnancy stories" might discuss food cravings, weight changes or relationship "learning opportunities," sleep changes in pregnancy make up these stories as well. Whether it's the notorious fatigue, nausea or daytime sleepiness of the first trimester that spells out pregnancy for your co-workers and family members (well before you planned to share your news), or the third trimester insomnia,…

Some women experienced hot flashes and night sweats for more than 7 years during menopausal transition, researchers reported. Among a diverse group of women in the U.S. who reported a high frequency of symptoms, vasomotor symptoms (VMS) persisted for a median of 7.4 years, with a median of 4.5 years of symptoms after final menstrual period, according to Nancy E. Avis, PhD, of Wake Forrest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., and colleagues. These findings exceeded the length of VMS…

Dr. Holly L. Thacker discusses the pros and cons of testosterone prescriptions for women with low sex drive and trouble climaxing.

I am 44 years old and about 6 months ago, I had an issue with an itchy bottom. It is not all the time, but it seems to be worse when it is time for my monthly menses.

I didn’t ask the doctor when I had my recent pap smear, but he said everything looked normal. However, I am really embarassed by it.

A quick stir-fry combines classic Mediterranean ingredients into one fabulous dish. Serve with angel hair pasta.

This recipe is from Holly Clegg's Trim & Terrific Gulf Coast Favorites: Over 250 easy recipes from my Louisiana Kitchen.

Physician WritersMegan McNamaraPelin BaturKristi Tough DeSapri Diagnosis What is perimenopause? Perimenopause is a transitional time late in a woman's reproductive life before the final menstrual period (FMP). Menopause is de-fined retrospectively by 12 months of amenorrhea and loss of ovarian follicular activity. The mean duration of perimenopause is 5 years, but symptoms may begin 8 years or more before the FMP (1). The average age at onset of menstrual irregularity is 47.5 years (2).…

Read women's health fellow and bride-to-be Dr. Heather Hirsch's column on wedding health. This is a must-read if you are engaged, about to be engaged or are the mother of the bride-to-be.

Corn chowder packed with fabulous flavors and good nutrition - all in one bowl.

This recipe is from Holly Clegg's trim&TERRIFIC EATING WELL TO FIGHT ARTHRITIS: 200 easy recipes and practical tips to help Reduce Inflammation and Ease Symptoms.

I am a healthy 68 year old yoga teacher with mild anxiety. My blood pressure and lipids are normal. I do yoga 3 times per week and walk 35 minutes, 4 times per week. But I found out I have pre-diabetes (fasting sugar of 116). I eat well, I love carbs like bread and pasta, and I cook fresh food every day. What can I do to bring down my Glucose level?

I am a 50 year old woman and was diagnosed with GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) 2 years ago. This started after I began treatment for my ulcerative colitis with mesalamine. I now take omeprazole before dinner and have noticed some benefit. I would like to get off the omeprazole. Do you have any recommendations?

I am a 70 year old woman and I have a pacemaker for atrial fibrillation. I was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and my physicians do not seem concerned about it. They didn’t explain whether the hernia required treatment and I am worried. What do you recommend regarding my inguinal hernia?

Biology determines when women hit menopause, but exposure to some common household products and pollutants may drive that timing even earlier.Menopause, like puberty, is a reproductive rite of passage, and marks for women the end of their fertility and child-bearing years. But studies show that it’s not just age that can determine when menopause starts — exposure to certain chemicals and pollutants can also play a role.In one of the most comprehensive looks at possible menopause-disruptors to…

Dr. Holly L. Thacker discusses what health tests women should be considering in 2015.

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker's column on the recent measles epidemic and what you can do about it.

Need to hint to your honey about the big day, or looking for a calming comfort food? Think of this as a first-rate chicken soup with mini-meatballs and loads of flavor.

This recipe is from Holly Clegg's trim&TERRIFIC Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age - 200 Simple and Sassy Recipes.

Dr. Lisa Larkin is a board-certified internist who has been practicing internal medicine and women's health in Cincinnati since 1991. After 11 years of teaching and practicing at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine, she opened her own internal medicine and women's health practice guided by a philosophy of providing high-quality, evidence-based personalized care to patients. Her larger vision was to create a comprehensive, evidence-based,…

In reference to the Thyroid, I am on 0.112mg of synthroid due to being hypothyroidism, following radiation some years ago. My question is, my new physician only runs the TSH blood test to monitor my level. When running the TSH alone, my blood level is within normal limits.

In the past, my previous doctor had run additional tests when he would check the TSH, FT3 and FT4. I was told by my previous doctor that running the TSH by itself is not an effective way of keeping the thyroid in check. I am still feeling fatigue, always cold, dry skin, dry hair. Should I push the issue with my new Primary Care Physician to be more aggressive when he monitors my level?