June 2017 -- “Hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms and the genitourinary syndrome of menopause and has been shown to prevent bone loss and fracture,” says Dr. JoAnn V. Pinkerton, NAMS Executive Director and Chair of the Position Statement Advisory Panel. “NAMS discovered through its review of the literature published since the 2012 Position Statement that its previous position that hormone therapy should be prescribed only for the ‘lowest dose for the…

I just left my local hospital a few hours ago, my reason for being there was because I was experiencing burning and horrific pain in my pubic area.

A week ago I had shaved and after a few weeks ingrown hairs started to appear. I used coconut oil to stop the sting but it only lasts for a second. I’m scared to pee because it burns every time I go.

There is also a sore in the area between my butt that stings and it is very swollen. I feel horrible from this and the ingrown hairs. In addition, I haven’t been able to poop either.

It’s really hard to move under these conditions. The hospital gave me a quick assessment and told me to put a cream on it and that was the best they could do. Should I go to a different hospital for a second opinion or should I just do what this hospital tells me? I’m still in so much pain.

I have hair that grows around the areola on my breasts. I find it annoying so I shave it off. Is it safe to shave hair off your breasts?

Of course, now I feel my breasts are feeling scratchy now that the hair is gone and the area has been shaved. Any advice on how to deal with hair on your breasts that you don’t want there? Thanks!

Dr. Lynn Simpson discusses six common hot flash triggers that have nothing to do with menopause and what to do about them.

Delicious and diabetic! Serve this scrumptious shrimp and sauce with angel hair pasta or couscous to enjoy all the yummy sauce.

This recipe is from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC® KITCHEN 101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence cookbook.

What is the difference between using the estradiol 0.5 patch versus taking the estradiol 0.5 tablet?

I was recently diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica and stopped the medicine, prednisone.

I have noticed continued hair loss, fatigue, and painful shoulders. Do you have recommendations on how to help my symptoms other than medicating with over the counter pain relievers like Tylenol?

What to do when there's more hair in the drain and less on your head. Hair loss is a natural but unloved part of aging. If you're concerned about thinning hair, here's what Dr. Holly L. Thacker and other experts say about prevention, effective treatments and realistic goals. HAIR LOSS IS A NATURAL but unloved part of aging. But sometimes bald spots or thin patches are signs of a medical condition or dietary deficiency. The first step in seeking a remedy is finding out the cause. Male or…

Arising from concerns raised during the Town Hall at the 2013 Annual Meeting of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), Dr. JoAnn Manson spearheaded a Working Group that determined that current labeling for low-dose vaginal estrogen used for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) indications was not evidence based, overstated risks through extrapolation of findings from trials of oral systemic hormone therapy, and did not accurately reflect the safety profile of low-dose vaginal estrogen. Under her…

I have hair loss on the top of my head. I read about the HairMax laser, is this a good option? What about light therapy?

Drs. Elim Shih and Heather Hirsch discuss the latest groundbreaking medical updates for women, including highlights from the 2015 National American Menopause Society meeting and Addyi, the first medication for women suffering from low sexual desire.

Melanoma is one of the most dangerous skin cancers and the number of new cases diagnosed each year is on the rise. Understand your options for melanoma treatment. Download our free Melanoma Treatment Guide and get the answers you need.

I am 54 years old and just had a total hysterectomy with ovaries removed a month ago. My menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) are not bad and I can tolerate them.

My doctor has not put me on HRT yet, but I am worried about osteoporosis and I am experiencing some depression, vaginal dryness and dry skin and hair. I will be seeing my doctor soon, and would like to ask for estrogen replacement therapy.

My concern is that I have high blood pressure, which is under control by medication. I take plavix as I was diagnosed with TIA 4 years ago (blurred speech, last few seconds; no damage done). Since then I follow a good diet and exercise regularly. My last blood test was excellent. My mom had a mild stroke when she was 74 due to poor diet and she recovered from it.

My question is: Is it ok for me to go on estrogen therapy? I am not quite myself. Please help.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker explains skin and hair changes during menopause. The culprit for the post-menopausal changes in your hair and skin is the lower levels of the hormone estrogen circulating in your body. Loss of estrogen makes your skin thinner and more delicate, and can cause your hair to thin out. Watch for helpful tips.

I’m 66 and I was on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for about 10 years, but stopped using it for the last seven years. Is there any evidence to show that I need to go back on HRT? If so, how long are you supposed to use HRT?

Cervical cancer, which still kills about 4,000 American women every year, is almost entirely preventable. Proper screening can catch early warning signs that could lead to cancer without the right treatment. But how often women should get screened and which tests should be used has been hotly debated by women, doctors and medical researchers for the past decade.On Thursday, the American College of Physicians weighed in with guidelines, endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and…

Read Dr. Michael Krychman, MD's column on female sexual empowerment. Dr. Krychman is an OB-GYN, sex therapist and leading women's sexual health expert. He has spoken out in favor of "Even the score" for women and sexual function therapies at the FDA level. The score is currently 26-0, which is 26 approved medicinal therapies for male sexual dysfunction and zero for women.

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.

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.

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…