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…

Menopause itself is not associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. However, the rates of many cancers, including ovarian cancer, do increase with age. 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,…

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?

May 2012 -- 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.…

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

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 from Cleveland Clinic experts: Eat calcium-rich foods. Besides dairy products, choose fish with bones (such as salmon, sardines or whitebait), and serve them with a side of dark leafy green vegetables or broccoli. Fortified tofu and soy milk are other calcium-rich choices, says registered dietitian…

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.

What most women refer to as menopause is actually a process involving three stages: perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. Our guide will help you manage menopause and get options for improved comfort.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer raises many questions, and it is important to learn and understand about all the available treatment options for you in taking control of your health.

Gynecologic cancer is widespread and can affect any woman, regardless of age or race. Download our free treatment guide to learn more about types of gynecologic cancer, risk factors, signs and stages and tests and treatment options.

Approximately, 1 in every 6 couples will be unable to conceive a child after trying for one year. Download our free Fertility Treatment Guide for the causes of infertility, when couples should seek help and treatment options for men and women.

What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures. Literally meaning "porous bone," it results in an increased loss of bone mass and strength. The disease often progresses without any symptoms or pain. Generally, it is not discovered until weakened bones cause painful fractures. Most of these are fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine. Osteoporosis occurs in both men and women, although women are four times more…

Stroke Information: What is a stroke? A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," occurs when blood flow to an area in the brain is cut off. The brain cells, deprived of the oxygen and glucose needed to survive, die. If not caught early, permanent brain damage can result from a stroke. How does a stroke occur? There are two types of stroke: Ischemic stroke is similar to a heart attack, except ischemic stroke occurs in the blood vessels of the brain. Clots can form either in the brain’s…

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer people get in the United States. If not treated, it can be deadly. But if treated early, skin cancer often can be cured. Moreover, by taking a few safeguards, you can greatly reduce your risk of ever getting skin cancer. What is Skin Cancer? Skin cancer is a tumor or growth of abnormal cells in our skin. The most common type of skin cancer is called basal cell carcinoma. Another common skin cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma. These cancers…