Read Women's Health Specialist Dr. Kristi Tough DeSapri's column on the experience of the first trimester of pregnancy as a busy mother of a baby, doctor and wife.

I am having pain during intercourse. What are some possible reasons for this pain?

One bite of this incredible fall favorite made with a spice cake mix, yam filling and chocolate chips was a taste sensation. This will be a requested recipe. Good use for leftover cooked sweet potatoes.

This recipe is from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC® Eating Well to Fight Arthritis cookbook.

I had an endometrial ablation a couple of years ago and my sex life has completely changed. I am now experiencing vaginal dryness and my libido is on zero. I also am experiencing painful intercourse and am having light bleeding after sex.

I changed doctors because I wanted a female doctor. My physician gave me a blood test and said I was not in peri-menopause because I am only 47 years old. Can you please tell me how can I get some relief?

I am 37 years old and just had a full hysterectomy 3 months ago, which removed my uterus and both ovaries. My doctor started me on estradiol orally right away. After one week, I noticed some stomach upset and was switched to the estrogen patch 0.05, which improved my symptoms but my heart started to race. The rapid heart rate made me nervous. I would be lying down feeling very calm and my heart rate would be 107.

So I just took off the patch and have gone without treatment for 2 months. Now I’ve had some hot flashes associated with anxiousness and mood irritability. Because of this, I retried the patch and within a couple of hours I felt better and more calm, but then my heart began racing again. So, once again I removed the patch. Is this normal? What can I do?

My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, but she only had to do radiation. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Also, is a physician or midwife right for me? How do I know? My husband and I just got married and want to try to start a family soon.

What is the proper way to lose weight and cook regular meals for my busy family when I am the only one dieting in the family? I am currently overweight at 227 pounds and I am trying to lose at least 60 pounds in the next four months. How much should I diet to achieve my goal?

Read Dr. Lynn Pattimakiel’s first Speaking of Women’s Health column where she discusses how women can identify their stress sources and what they can do to minimize stress in their lives.

I am 63 years old with a history of breast cancer. I am in remission after a bone marrow transplant in 1991.

My sister died of ovarian cancer three years ago. I have not been sexually active in 14 years. Do I need to be screened for ovarian cancer, and if so, what doctor can I see?

Where can I obtain the latest information on colon cancer treatment?

What is the health risk of Talcum powder near the vagina? What about baby corn starch powder? Can female infants be at risk if baby talcum powder is used on them?

I have been diagnosed with a 4.2cm Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm. My doctor said I need to have an ultrasound done annually to monitor for any enlargement. He said no operation until it reaches at least 5cm. Is there anything (pain, etc.) that I should watch for? The Radiologist thought there was leaking of blood from the aneurysm, but my doctor thought NO.

After getting another ultrasound in three months, my doctor said there is no blood leaking. How can I be sure this is true? Are there any signs? The doctor said I would have severe pain in my stomach going down my leg. I do not have this, but it is worrisome because any time I have any abdominal cramps or leg problems I suspect the worse! I was told that you could also have back pain.

I am 70 years old, an active tennis player and work out with weights three times a week. I'm very active, but I do have a new hip and arthritis. Again, do I need to do anything special or eliminate any activities?

The steep decline in the use of hormone therapy has spawned a prevalent but preventable side effect: millions of women suffering in silence with hot flashes, according to a study by a Yale School of Medicine researcher and colleagues.

Do women need to use progesterone for endometrial protection with an intact uterus when using even a small dose of transdermal estrogen (such as vivelle dot)?

I can’t tolerate any kind of dairy and from what I noticed Vitamin D (sunshine) either. Symptoms include swelling of my lips and the corners of my lips crack open. Also, the area between my vagina and my rectum gets a rash and cracks open. Another symptom is that I get auras and almost black out if I eat dairy. I stopped all dairy and avoided most sunshine to try to keep my symptoms minimal.

Since I have practiced avoidance it’s much better, but there aren’t many things I can eat. I have been to a lot of different doctors who mostly say just avoid dairy, but that isn’t what I would like to do if I don’t have to. I need vitamin D since I already have osteopenia and am high risk for osteoporosis.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts you may have.

August 2014 - Dr. Holly L. Thacker discusses the relationship between untreated hot flashes and the increase in outpatient doctor visits and healthcare costs.

For more information on this study, read Yale University's press release.

Ruth Davis, Pelin Batur, MD, FACP, NCMP, CCD, and Holly L Thacker, MD, FACP, NCMP, CCD ABSTRACT After the publication of the Women’s Health Initiative, attitudes towards management of menopausal symptoms changed dramatically. One alternative that has received much media attention is the use of bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT). The media and celebrity endorsements have promoted a number of misconceptions about the risks and benefits associated with the various forms of BHT. This article will…

Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD is an Outpatient Clinical Manager and the primary metabolic dietitian at Cleveland Clinic's Center for Human Nutrition. She has been a dietitian for nine years and has experience in weight management, allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, and general pediatric nutrition. She has been practicing metabolic nutrition for eight years and has been the Outpatient Nutrition Manger in the Center for Human Nutrition at Cleveland Clinic for the past five years. Laura Jeffers…

Allison Vidimos, MD is a physician in the Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Dermatology as well as a Mohs surgeon.She was appointed dermatology chairwoman at Cleveland Clinic in 2005 and retired from that position in 2024. She has encouraged volunteer efforts for the members of her department and this has resulted in many free skin cancer and hair loss screenings in the Cleveland community since 1991.An adoring mother, she and her husband, a Cleveland Clinic staff neuroradiologist, have two…

Pamela M. Peeke, MD, MPH, FACP, is known as the "doc who walks the talk." An internationally recognized expert, physician, scientist and author in the fields of nutrition, stress, fitness and public health, Dr. Peeke is a member of the Speaking of Women's Health National Speakers Bureau. She has been the keynote speaker for many Speaking of Women's Health conferences over the years. Dr. Peeke holds the position of Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of…