What is Hormone Therapy? Hormone therapy (HT) is a treatment program in which a woman takes estrogen and progestagen (a synthetic or natural form of progesterone) to relieve menopause symptoms. HT also reduces a woman’s risk for osteoporosis and other conditions that become more common after menopause. While HT has many benefits, it has been shown to increase a postmenopausal woman’s risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer especially after age 60. Studies show the risk is reduced when HT…

Can you please provide me some simple remedies for night sweats? I seem to get hot flashes on and off, especially when I am worried or stressed about something. It almost feels like I am having a mini panic attack. I cool down fast during the day, but at night the hot flashes are really annoying.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker, Executive Director of Speaking of Women's Health, discusses the series of health screenings that women in their 20s should receive and discuss with their women's health physician.

As we age, our bones become thinner and lose their density. But there are steps women can take to halt the “thinning” of their bones and help prevent osteoporosis. Follow these tips from Speaking of Women's Health Executive Director, Dr. Holly L. Thacker.

I just turned 40 on May. Five days before my birthday, I found out I was pregnant. Six weeks later, I miscarried. I am devastated; I really wanted to have a baby. We were not trying to get pregnant and were surprised to find out I was.

Now that I have been pregnant I want to try to see if I can get pregnant again. However, I am afraid of all the problems that I could face because of my age. The OB I saw did not seem too happy when I told her I wanted to try again and listed all the reasons I should not get pregnant, including chromosomal problems, preeclampsia, diabetes and pre-term birth. Are all these problems guaranteed to happen to me or the baby because of my age?

Are bioidentical hormone pellet implants safe and effective?

After 51 years of restless leg syndrome, I began taking 50mg of 5-HTP (5-hydroxtyptophan), recommended by a friend. My restless leg goes away when I take the medicine. My doctor does not approve of OTC’s and naturals. I also take 3bp meds: 5 mg amlodipine, 40mg Lisinopril and 12.5mg Hydrochlorot.)

Am I doing harm to myself by taking the HTP? The restless leg was so severe that at times it would drive me to tears and walking the floor. Thank you for being here.

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s blog reflecting on the seismic effect the Women’s Health Initiative had on midlife women’s health.

One of the most common symptoms that women can experience with menopause is hot flashes. Dr. Holly L. Thacker, Executive Director of Speaking of Women's Health discusses how women can treat their menopause symptoms.

As we celebrate America’s birthday, it seems with every passing year our collective body mass index (BMI) is increasing - yikes! Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s blog on the FDA approved weight loss drug and learn if it is safe and healthy for your body.

Cancer and its treatment will undoubtedly cause changes in your life. One change you may experience from chemotherapy is the development of the symptoms of menopause. How chemotherapy impacts the onset of menopausal symptoms is not fully understood, but this document may begin to answer some of the questions you may have, including: How will I know if the way I am feeling is associated with menopause and not with my treatment, stress or another factor? What are the symptoms of menopause…

I have uncontrollable gas. It has no pattern and it is worse if I have to urinate. Can you please offer any advice to control the gas?

What is self-image? Self-image is the personal view we have of ourselves. It is our mental image or self-portrait. Self-image is an internal dictionary that describes the characteristics of the self, including intelligent, beautiful, ugly, talented, selfish and kind. These characteristics form a collective representation of our assets and liabilities as we see them. How is self-image developed? Self-image is a product of learning. Parents or caregivers make the greatest contribution to our…

When it comes to the health of your skin, it’s a good idea to be proactive and keep an eye out for dangerous moles. This is especially true if you already have moles on your body, or if you have a family history (a close relative) of moles. In addition to limiting your exposure to sunlight and using sunscreens, examining yourself for moles can allow for early detection and treatment. If you or a close relative have moles, you should examine your body once a month. Most moles are benign…

What vaccinations do I need to have before traveling abroad? Once you decide that your travel plans will take you beyond the US borders, it’s wise to make an appointment with a travel health expert to discuss your general health and immunization needs. Whether or not you will need particular vaccines will depend on several factors, including: Your risk of exposure to diseases in the countries to be visited Your age, current health status, and vaccination history The presence of…

Some risk factors associated with aging and menopause cannot be changed. However, healthy eating can prevent or reduce certain conditions that may develop during and after menopause. What are some basic dietary guidelines during menopause? Eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. Since women’s diets are often low in iron and calcium, follow these guidelines: Get enough calcium. Eating and drinking 2 to 4 servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods a day will help…

Anthocyanins are colorful compounds found in red, purple or blue fruits and vegetables that are not only tasty, but good for us too! They are thought to “turn on” cancer preventive triggers in the cells, decreasing our risk for disease.

Anthocyanins cans be found in most berries including blueberries, blackberrries, cranberries, cherries, red grapes, eggplant peel and red cabbage.

An unusual combination, yet, one of my summer favorites with sweet watermelon, fresh mint, salty olives, and feta bursting with sweet and salty in each mouthful. This recipe is from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC® Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age.

Since 1 in every 2 women are destined to have an osteoporotic bone fracture, it's important for women to know about the different treatment options available to help manage osteoporosis. Dr. Holly L. Thacker, executive director of Speaking of Women's Health, discusses the many different treatment options for osteoporosis management.t

The Sinuses Sinuses are air-filled cavities (spaces) located in your forehead, cheekbones, and behind the bridge of your nose. The sinuses produce a thin mucus that drains out of the channels of the nose. When a sinus becomes inflamed, usually as the result of an allergic reaction, a tumor, or an infection, the inflammation will prevent the outflow of mucus and cause a pain similar to that of a headache. What are the symptoms of sinus headaches? Sinus headaches are associated with a deep and…