Feeling tired, gaining or losing a few pounds, or having trouble sleeping? If so, you have plenty of company. These common complaints can be symptoms of a myriad of conditions, including disorders of the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland. So how do you know whether or not to be concerned? In women, changes to the menstrual cycle can be an indicator of a thyroid problem, but many things can influence the menstrual function. How Common are Thyroid Disorders? The answer is very, with…

Read our latest guest blog by Rebecca Starck, MD, Chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Regional Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Starck is a mom of 5 and a fitness fan.

Acupuncture Acupuncture, the practice of placing hair-thin needles into certain areas of the skin, is being used to reduce back pain, headache and many other types of pain. Location, Location, Location There are more than 360 classic acupuncture points and several hundred nontraditional points throughout the body, including points on the: face ears hands feet A skilled practitioner or acupuncture inserts hair- thin sterile, disposable needles into the skin, just deep enough to…

By Dr. Manisha Yadav What Are The Symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease? High cholesterol, inactivity, diabetes and smoking can lead to atherosclerosis (deposition of fat in arteries) and arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries), which can lead to heart attacks and strokes (due to decreased blood supply). When this ongoing decreased blood flow is happening to your legs, it manifests as leg pain when walking and achiness, burning or discomfort in the muscles of your legs. Other symptoms…

Caring for Newborns Having a baby is exciting, but exhausting work. That’s why it’s called “labor.” After the birth of a new baby, our family-centered staff in the Cleveland Clinic Birthing Hospitals want to help moms learn how to rest and care for their newborns in the most comfortable and effective way. “As part of our world class care for new moms and babies, our staff encourages the evidence-based practice of ‘rooming-in’,” says Rebecca Starck, MD, chair of the Department of Regional…

Read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s latest blog post on beauty and why our perceptions of beauty affect health and well-being.

Every woman varies in her journey through menopause. 75% of postmenopausal women suffer from Vasomotor Symptoms (VMS), including hot flashes, dry skin and sleep issues. Dr. Lauren Weber discusses the different treatments available to help women control their VMS symptoms.

Why does my scalp itch so badly? I noticed my face has gotten very dry as well. I’m using Obagi on it. I’m 50 years old and taking Estratest Low Dose. I am 5’4", 132 pounds and eat really healthy. I have thick, course dark brown hair that I get colored. And I use Keratin Straightener the one with just Keratin.

But my scalp has been doing this for some time. I want to think it’s not neurological. My mother was diagnosed with Pick’s Disease when she was 40 years old.

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

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…

What does Father's Day have to do with hair loss in women? Read Dr. Holly Thacker's column to learn more why women experience hair loss and what treatments are available.

Whether you are facing menopausal matriculation, or have already passed that important milestone, you should read Dr. Holly L. Thacker’s take on the US governmental report on menopausal hormone THERAPY.

Conditions of the skin are as varied as the human beings who have them. The condition of your skin is created from a variety of factors, including age, ethnicity, environmental factors including sun exposure level, diet, personal habits, and your family tree (that is, heredity). The information contained here is intended to serve only as an overview of general skin care concerns and should not replace the advice of a skin care professional, or dermatologist. What are the some of the most…

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…

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…

Treatment for Gynecologic Disorders A visit to the gynecologist can be much more overwhelming for women who seek treatment beyond the annual exam – when gynecologic issues are causing painful or embarrassing problems. But treatment of gynecologic disorders has advanced far beyond abdominal hysterectomies once considered standard care. Rapid improvements in technology, including minimally invasive procedures and greater use of robotics, are reducing pain and improving the outcome for most women…

Dr. Angela Kyei, a hair loss expert at Cleveland Clinic, discusses hair loss in men and women. She provides tips and recommendations for hair loss prevention, and how hair loss may be a sign of a bigger health problem.

Regular Exercise Improves Quality of Life We all want our parents to remain as active and independent as possible, and we want the same thing for ourselves! Regular exercise is pivotal for seniors. Seniors are at greater risk for disease, lost mobility and falls than any other age group. Conversely, they often realize the positive effects of exercise more quickly than other age groups. If your parent hasn’t been exercising, it can be difficult to get started. 7 tips to start a new exercise…

Dr. Holly L. Thacker talks about how there are so many misconceptions about female hormones. Kind of like the misconceptions about women!

Learn more about Shared Medical Appointments (SMA) and how you can benefit from these woman-to-woman sessions that offer individual appointments in the presence of others with insight, advice and support from a variety of women dealing with similar symptoms or conditions like yourself.