It’s not unusual for women to say that they don’t think they need to see a women’s health specialist after menopause unless they have a problem. But it’s always important to be proactive about your health, which includes keeping up with pelvic exams and screenings throughout life. Risks of dangerous health problems like cardiovascular disease, breast and other cancers, and stroke actually increase with age. Midlife is a time of transition for women in all facets of their lives. It’s a great…

What are the dangers of sun exposure? The immediate danger of too much sun is sunburn. If you looked at sunburned skin under a strong microscope, you would see that the cells and blood vessels have been damaged. With repeated sun damage, the skin starts to look dry, wrinkled, discolored, and leathery. Although the skin appears to be thicker, it actually has been weakened and, as a result, it will bruise more easily. However, the sun's most serious threat is that it is the major cause of skin…

Dry Skin Care Dry skin is defined as flaking or scaling when there is no evidence of dermatitis, or inflammation, of the skin. It is most prominent on the shins, hands, and sides of the abdomen , and can be associated with itching. It is more common during the winter months, when humidity is low, and improves in the summer time. Some people also have a genetic, or hereditary, tendency to develop dry skin. In addition, elderly people tend to have more trouble with dry skin due to the natural…

Try serving this fabulous favorite featuring berries laced with ladyfinger and raspberry jam with an orange cream cheese filling in individual glasses for another serving option. You may always substitute your favorite seasonal berry combination may be substituted. Recipe from Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC® Diabetic Cooking.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker writes about passion and physical activity.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker discusses the importance of bone density scans for women, especially if they are at risk for osteoporosis.

Are you the kind of person who pops a pill with every ache or sniffle; or do you wait until you feel like you’re going to die before you reach for medication? Living at either extreme can be dangerous for your health. When it comes to taking medication, follow your doctor’s orders: prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs should be used as directed, both to achieve their full benefit and lessen their possible side effects. CHECK THE LABEL Before you take any medication, read the label…

Menopause: The Good and the Bad For some women, menopause is a time of liberation. No longer saddled with fear of getting pregnant, they find their desire increases, and they can be more spontaneous with their partner. But for other women, menopause brings declining desire or uncomfortable intercourse—leaving them, as well as their spouses, sad and confused. But it doesn't have to be that way. The most common causes of sexual dysfunction after menopause are treatable. Understanding the cause…

What is ovarian cancer?Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in a woman's ovaries. Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women. It most often occurs in women in their 50s and beyond.When found in its earliest stages, ovarian cancer can be cured 90 to 95 percent of the time. Unfortunately, early ovarian cancer is hard to detect. Many cases of ovarian cancer are found after the cancer has spread to other organs. In these cases, the cancer is much more…

Dr. Thacker discusses the dangers and potential addiction to tanning.

My friend just had a bone density test. What kind of test is this and do I need it?

In her second year of residency, Cleveland Clinic women’s health specialist Lynn Pattimakiel, MD, says her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.The experience was an eye opener. Her mother, a nurse, took care of her patients and her family. But she had failed to give herself the same attention and missed a couple of screenings.Caregivers need care, too“I think it was at that time that I realized how much mothers actually put themselves on the back burner,” she says. Dr. Pattimakeil also…

My sister is on hormone replacement therapy. I’m not sure if I should consider it. What are the pros and cons?

By: Andrea Sikon, MDAndrea Sikon, MD, FACP, is the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics within the Medicine Institute, and is board-certified in Internal Medicine. She also has an appointment with the Women's Health Institute, practicing in the Center for Specialized Women's Health.As we age, our bones become thinner and lose their density. But there are steps we can take to halt the “thinning” of our bones, called osteopenia, and prevent osteoporosis. Follow these tips…

Featuring chicken, peas, sun-dried tomatoes and feta, this fantastic, marinated light pasta salad combines bold flavors with great ingredients.

Recipe submitted by Holly Clegg, author of Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC® Gulf Coast Favorites

3 Major Eye Problems People With Diabetes Need To Know To prevent eye problems, you should: Control your blood glucose. Have your eyes checked at least once a year by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist). Control high blood pressure and lipids. Contact your doctor if any of the following occur: Black spots in your vision Flashes of light "Holes" in your vision Blurred vision 1. Cataracts A cataract is a clouding or fogging of the lens inside the eye. When this happens,…

How Do Vision Correction Surgeries Work? Vision correction surgery, also called refractive eye surgery, is any surgical procedure used to correct refractive error. In recent years, tremendous advancements have been made in this field. After refractive surgery, many patients report seeing better than they had at any other time in their lives. All vision correction surgeries work by reshaping the front part of the eye, so that light traveling through it is properly focused onto the retina…

Nearly 50% of women who have had children are affected by pelvic organ prolapse. Prolapse occurs when weakened muscles cause one of the pelvic organs, usually the bladder, to drop. Discomfort and urinary incontinence may result.

Osteoporosis and low bone mass affect millions of women age 50 and older in the U.S. Download our free Osteoporosis Guide to learn more about who is most at risk to develop osteoporosis, how to prevent it, signs, symptoms and treatment options.

Download our free Fibroids and Menstrual Disorders Guide and learn more about symptoms of uterine fibroids, how uterine fibroids are evaluated and non-surgical and minimally invasive treatment options.