What kinds of tests will I have during an eye exam?

Fresh green peppers, onion, and tomatoes with canned soup give a fresh appeal to this traditional casserole.

This delicious Mexican Chicken Casserole recipe is from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC® Gulf Coast Favorites. For more healthy and delicious recipes from Holly Clegg, visit hollyclegg.com.

I had two partial hysterectomies and three laparoscopic surgeries due to scar tissue and blocked tubes. The first surgery removed my left ovary, tubes and tissue growing on the outside of my uterus, tubes and ovaries. The second surgery removed my right ovary and uterus.

I am on hormone replacement. I am 49 years old, have been married for 29 years and I have 3 children in their 20s. My question is concerning lack of sensation to my vagina and clitoris. Direct and indirect stimulation doesn’t seem to matter and I do not have orgasms any more. I am on prescription medication for fibromyalgia. Is there anything I can do to help this problem?

Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is not just for the young. STIs don’t discriminate by age or race. Any sexually active person can get infected with a STI. During the past decade, we’ve seen an increase in STIs among those ages 50 and older. Some of the more common sexually transmitted infections include: Syphilis Chlamydia Gonorrhea Trichomonias Herpes HIV Hepatitis HPV (human papillomavirus – linked with certain cancers). Among those listed above, the…

Struggling to Keep Fit Through Menopause Keeping off those extra pounds is an ongoing battle for many women. And it only gets more challenging as we enter menopause. It’s just the way we’re made. Female hormones tend to promote fat formation. That means our bodies store fat more easily than men’s bodies. As we get older, our metabolism slows, enabling even more weight gain. And as we lose muscle mass (beginning at age 40), body fat often takes its place. As we age, we need to do more to…

One of the newest advances in fertility treatment — retrieving and freezing eggs — allows women to preserve their ability to start a family later in life. “More and more women are asking about this option,” says Holly L. Thacker, MD, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Specialized Women’s Health. “Women are dedicated to their careers, yet they want to have families too. It’s important to realize that peak fertility is around age 24 — not age 34 or age 44.” Freezing eggs not only helps…

An ingredient mixture of cool crisp watermelon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh basil with balsamic vinegar creates an extraordinary and invigorating light salad.

This Watermelon and Tomato Salad is from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC Eating Well to Fight Arthritis cookbook.

I’ve just been perscribed HRT therapy: estradiol (vivelle-dot) 0.1mg and progesterone micronized 200 mg. But I have not started it, yet.

I also take 50,000 vitamin D weekly, which I started about 6 months ago.

What health risks are associated with the HRT outlined above? Will I gain weight from this HRT? Will my body composition change as a result of the HRT? How will my hair and skin change?

Bladder leakage is one of many health-related issues Dr. Holly L. Thacker of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Specialized Women's Health addresses in this interview. Dr. Thacker explains that there is non-surgical therapy available to help remedy the problem, and that there is an unexpected, but not unwelcome side effect of the newly FDA approved pelvic stimulation devices now available to strengthen the pelvic floor or relax an overactive bladder. Dr. Thacker is the author of Cleveland Clinic…

Bladder leakage is one of many health-related issues Dr. Holly L. Thacker of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Specialized Women's Health addresses in this interview. She explains that there is non-surgical therapy available to help remedy the problem, and that there is an unexpected, but not unwelcome side effect of the newly FDA approved pelvic stimulation devices now available to strengthen the pelvic floor or relax an overactive bladder.

Osteoporosis Description An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis. Another 34 million have low bone mass. If left untreated, osteoporosis can be both debilitating and painful. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent osteoporosis from ever occurring. Or, if you already have the disease, early detection and proper medical care can help you slow or even reverse its progress and prevent fractures. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them more susceptible…

I just read an article on speakingofwomenshealth.com about allergies. At the end, there was mention of immunotherapy to help counteract allergies long term.

Can this be successfully used for people with nut and peanut allergies? If so, where does one get the immunotherapy treatments?

What should I look for in a sunscreen? What strength do I use and how often do I apply it?

Summer Sensation! Nothing beats fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and Kalamata’s (from the olive bar) for this top-notch refreshing pick-up.

This recipe is from Holly Clegg's cookbook, trim&TERRIFIC® Gulf Coast Favorites. Enjoy more delicious Holly Clegg recipes at hollyclegg.com.

Using sunlamp products such as tanning beds or tanning booths increases the risk of skin damage, skin cancer and eye injury, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and numerous other health organizations. A particularly dangerous result is melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.

I had a full hysterectomy 6 years ago and now I am 45 years old. I have been taking 1mg of estradial since my surgery, and I wanted to know if I don’t take my estradial for a few days what would happen? The doctor drags her feet when it comes to refills, therefor I have to wait till she gets around to approving my prescription. Right now, it’s been one day and I am feeling very weak, light headed, dizzy and can’t walk straight - just concerned if I’m going to be ok without it?

This simple six-ingredient salad from Holly Clegg will please even the most picky palate.

Enjoy more delicious recipes from Holly Clegg's cookbook, trim&TERRIFIC® Gulf Coast Favorites.

I have been using Estring for about 8 years. I felt that it wasn’t working as well as it did the first few years. I saw my endocrinologist today and asked her about Osphena. She gave me some samples. I asked if I should still use Estring and she said no problem. I trust her but she is not a gynecologist, so I am not sure about mixing the two medications.

My primary care physician retired about a year ago. I don’t have anyone else at this time to ask about this. Thank you.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker, a women's health expert, talks about the specialized needs of women at mid-life. Learn the must have tests, exams and issues that women should focus on.

What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis can’t be cured, but the pain and fertility problems it causes can be relieved. Of the more than 5.5 million American women with endometriosis, 30 to 40 percent have difficulty conceiving. In endometriosis, small islands of tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) implant themselves on other organs or on the lining of the pelvic cavity. During menstruation, they bleed and cause painful inflammation. The results can be severe menstrual…