November 2016 -- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved prasterone (Intrarosa, Endoceutics Inc) to treat women with moderate to severe pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) associated with menopause. Prasterone, a once-daily vaginal insert, is the first FDA-approved product containing the active ingredient prasterone, also known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Estrogen levels decline in vaginal tissues during menopause, which may lead to vulvar and vaginal atrophy…

I’m a 32 year old female in average shape. Ever since high school, I seem to have a moderate to high amount of headaches, seemingly different kinds. I usually just count it as stress.

However, in the last few years, I have these horrible headaches that pop up every few months, where the very first vertebrae at the top of my neck seems to pop out. The pain is significant, and I can be sensitive to light, smells, movement and sounds. When it happens, if I put a lot of pressure on that vertebrae, it helps momentarily. My chiropractor says it’s stress and increased blood flow pushing out that vertebrae. My family doctor doesn’t seem concerned. Should I do anything else? Thanks!

I’m a 32 year old female in average shape. Over the past month or so, I’ve been doing more yard work like pulling weeds, planting, laying mulch, raking and trimming. In the evening, my thumbs having an internal burning sensation, and I experience pain in my lower thumb joints.

Sometimes my thumbs seem weak, and I have intermittent shaking. It’s significant enough that it can keep me awake at night and still ache in the morning. After a few days, it disappears. I’ve already had surgery on my right wrist for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. What could this be?

Dr. Holly L. Thacker thanks all of our Speaking of Women’s Health supporters and asks for support of Speaking of Women’s Health on #GivingTuesday.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker reflects on 2016 support and accomplishments and talks about giving during the holiday season.

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!

December 2016 - Age-related decline in women's lung function may speed up during and after menopause, a recent study suggests. Past research has shown that young women can boost their lung function through their mid-twenties by following a healthy lifestyle that includes getting plenty of aerobic exercise and avoiding cigarettes. After that, lung function declines gradually, and the process can be sped up when people smoke or carry excess fat around their midsection.

When does your weight loss become dangerous to your health?

What us the connection between calcium and cholesterol? As kids we drank up to two quarts of milk a day, almost never water. First we had cows, later milkman delivered the milk. I was in my 30’s before even considering drinking water.

My family has a history of strokes. I eat a couple cups of nuts a day as I crave nuts and may also eat 1/2 cup of peanut butter a day.

I am nervously re-incorporating one egg a day. I was hard-boiling eggs, discarding yolks once a week and pulverizing whites. I add them to a water slurry for a milky substitute with oatmeal.

My craving for nuts is so great. What is going on? My carotid are in stage 3 and 4. Can you help slide my diet around?

I have fatigue that is interfering with my life--it’s all I can do to drive home after work and immediately crawl in bed. I have no new medications, and every test comes back normal. Are there any more specific tests I can have done to see if something is off?

I find myself up during the night worried that I have heart issues.

I can feel my heart beating and it seams fast at times, but I sometimes feel I am missing several beats, this worries me. I sometimes have this chocking going on, so I drink lots of water to stop that feeling. Why is this happening?

Eight years ago, I had a prolapsed uterus, and the OB/GYN performed a laparoscopic hysterectomy and added a bladder sling.

I am now experiencing stress incontinence. Will the APEX provide any improvement to my condition under these circumstances?

Read guest columnist Stetson T. Thacker, PhD's column on tips for effective and healthy weight loss.

Activity Factor Table Amount of Exercise/Activity Description TEE/ Maintenance Sedentary Little or no Exercise/ desk job TEE = 1.2 x BMR Lightly active Light exercise/ sports 1 – 3 days/ week TEE = 1.375 x BMR Moderately active Moderate Exercise, sports 3 – 5 days/ week TEE = 1.55 x BMR Very active Heavy Exercise/ sports 6 – 7 days/ week TEE = 1.725 x BMR Extremely…

I had a hemmorrhagic stroke in 2002 and have had urinary incontinence ever since. Would this be called an overactive bladder condition?

I have had two hysterectomy prolapse surgeries. However, they are both failed surgeries as the prolapse is back, stage 3.

I also just had a tibia fibia leg break 7 months ago, so I am weak in my pelvic and core muscles. Will this APEX help the prolapse? I don’t want any more surgeries and I want to be able to do things I use to.

The sultry blend of blackberry jam and balsamic vinegar infuse the chicken with unbeatable flavors while the caramelized onions make a slightly sweet, savory sauce. If you’re uncertain about jam with chicken, wait until you try the moist flavored chicken!

This recipe is from Holly Clegg’s trimandTERRIFIC® Too Hot in the Kitchen.

Read Dr. Lynn Simpson’s column on Human papillomaviruses (HPV) and the new 2017 recommendations regarding vaccination.

During the course of a lifetime, almost everyone will acquire some type of HPV infection, so you want to read this column!

January 23, 2017 - The risk of dying from cervical cancer might be much higher than experts previously thought, and women are encouraged to continue recommended cancer screenings. Black women are dying from cervical cancer at a rate 77% higher than previously thought and white women are dying at a rate 47% higher, according to a new study that published in the journal Cancer on Monday. The study found that previous estimates of cervical cancer death rates didn't account for women who had…

Women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) have ovarian hormone deficiency and associated increased morbidity. This review discusses hormone replacement therapy options to improve the quality of life for women with POI. List authored and from Fertility and Sterility, September 27, 2016. Sept 2016 - Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a rare but important cause of ovarian hormone deficiency and infertility in women. In addition to causing infertility, POI is associated with multiple…