Are bioidentical hormones superior to other forms of hormone therapy? Is there a time limit on how long postmenopausal women can take hormones? Women’s health expert, Dr. Holly L. Thacker covers these topics and more in the third installment of the Speaking of Women’s Health video series, "Surviving Menopause."

Dr. Holly L. Thacker recommends that women see their women's health physician for hormone replacement therapy. She discusses the benefits of physician-prescribed hormone replacement therapy for many women and the dangers of compounding pharmacies without a physician’s care.Menopause may have become synonymous with the idea of medical intervention.It needn't be.But with about 25 million women in the United States turning 50 in the next 10 years, most of the reports we read are about just that.…

Uncover the truth behind the top five menopause myths. Dr. Holly L. Thacker says the answers just might surprise you!

My daughter’s college roommate just informed her that she had a bacterial infection. She was having abdominal pain which brought her to the doctor. What is the risk factor for my daughter?

How will I know when I have officially entered menopause?

Is it hot in here or are you entering into menopause? Hot flashes are only one symptom of menopause and not all women get them. In the second installment of our video series, "Surviving Menopause," women's health expert Dr. Holly L. Thacker discusses some of the common symptoms of menopause, such as sleeping problems and mood swings.

I'd like to introduce you to the first video in the "Surviving Menopause" video series. Did you know that osteoporosis is a disease that 50% of women over age 50 develop due to lack of estrogen? In this video, learn how you can prevent osteoporosis, especially throughout menopause.

Over one in every two women over age 50 develops osteoporosis due to a lack of estrogen. Dr. Holly Thacker is here to help you learn how to prevent Osteoporosis, especially throughout menopause. This is the first video in our Surviving Menopause Series.

Here are a few quick tips to follow when trying to watch your total fat intake as well as the cholesterol-raising fats. Depending on your cholesterol level, most healthy individuals should limit total fat intake to around 25-35% of total energy (total calories eaten) each day. While it is important to watch each individual food’s fat content, remember that this 25-35% fat range is your overall dietary goal; you’ll always encounter foods that are under or over this percentage. Your goal is to…

"They Think They see Something on my Mammogram." The fear this sentence evokes is real, but can be quieted by facts. Most abnormalities on a mammogram are NOT breast cancer. Women should get annual mammograms starting at age 45 and personalized. Some women can wait until age 50 to begin screening mammograms and have them done every 2 years. High risk women need more intensive screening. On a screening mammogram, questionable abnormalities sometimes require additional evaluation. With further…

I am wondering what can be the cause of intense hunger. I eat 4-5 times a day and still it seems that I am always hungry. If I try to put it off too long I will get a really bad headache and in some cases feel kind of like I am going to pass out. What’s really weird is that it just came on in the last few weeks. Any ideas of what I should be checking into?

Do progestin-only birth control pills cause acne, or should I be concerned about Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? I did not have acne when taking a combined pill.

I’ve had two urinary tract infections in the past year. Why am I getting them and what can I do to prevent them in the future?

I’m pregnant and people keep telling me to stop drinking out of plastic water bottles. What’s the problem with them?

My doctor says I have fibroids and need a hysterectomy. Are there any other options?

My daughter was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Does this mean she won’t be able to have children?

I am 59 years old. I noticed a wart growth almost at the entrance of my vagina. It has been there for more than five months. Recently I applied garlic overnight to the site and after two days it was gone. I am still worried. Do you think the wart is a sign of some disease? What do you recommend that I do to avoid a reoccurence?

I recently had blood work done because I have been very fatigued and have experienced a real loss of energy. My Vitamin D level was 17.8 and my Free T4 was .49. My TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was in the normal range of 2.09. My doctor put me on a Vitamin D supplement. Will the Vitamin D make my thyroid level go back up, and do you think I should be on thyroid medication? My doctor says that I should get my blood work done in two months and see how it is then.

An Overview of an Eye Exam During an eye appointment several types of eye tests may be performed. In addition to a complete eye examination, your doctor may want to order one of the following special tests: Applanation tonometry: A test that helps doctors diagnose glaucoma by measuring the amount of pressure needed to flatten a portion of the cornea. Corneal topography: During this procedure, a computer is used to create a "map" of the curvature of the cornea. The computer analysis…

Eye Diseases and Disorders Common in Aging Adults Even though eye problems can affect people of any age, some are increasingly likely to strike those of advanced age. These problems can be much more serious. Some examples of eye diseases and disorders common in aging adults: Cataracts Cataracts are cloudy areas that cover part of or the entire lens that keep light from easily passing through the lens to the back of the eye. Cataracts often form slowly, causing no pain, redness or tearing…