Hormone therapy is a treatment that is used to supplement the body with either estrogen alone or estrogen and progesterone in combination. Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that are produced by a woman's ovaries. When the ovaries no longer produce adequate amounts of these hormones, HT can be given to supplement the body with adequate levels. Why Does the Body Need Estrogen and Progesterone? Estrogen and progesterone together thicken the lining of the uterus, preparing it for the…

How Does Menopause Affect Sex Drive? The loss of estrogen following menopause can lead to changes in a woman’s sexual functioning. Menopausal women may notice that they are not as easily aroused, and may be less sensitive to touching and stroking – which can result in decreased interest in sex. Further, the emotional changes that often accompany menopause can add to a woman’s loss of interest in sex and inability to become aroused. In addition, lower levels of estrogen can cause a decrease in…

Heart disease becomes a greater risk for women after menopause. In young women who have undergone early or surgical menopause, who do not take estrogen, their risk for heart disease is also higher. Women who have gone through menopause and also have other heart disease risk factors are at even greater risk. Other heart disease risk factors include: Diabetes Family history of heart disease High blood pressure Low HDL (high density lipoproteins) or "good" cholesterol High LDL (low…

Actonel: also known as risedronate, Actonel is a drug that has been shown to build back bone density to help protect bones that are vulnerable to fracture. Actonel is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis and to treat other forms of bone mass loss in men and women. Atelvia (Risedronate) taken weekly after breakfast. Adjuvant therapy: treatment provided in addition to the primary treatment. Alternative medicine:…

Approximately 75 percent of menopausal women experience hot flashes, a condition that can make it difficult for women to sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 40 percent of menopausal women have sleep problems caused by hot flashes. How Can I Treat Sleep Problems Related to Menopause? The traditional treatment for the symptoms related to menopause has been hormone therapy (HT). HT consists of estrogen given as a pill, patch or vaginal cream, either alone or combined…

While post menopause hormone therapy (HT) is generally an effective way to manage menopausal symptoms and prevent osteoporosis, it is not recommended for everyone. The following quiz may help you determine whether or not HT is right for you. Please answer yes or no to the following questions: Do you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as extremely heavy periods, spotting between periods or missed periods?Yes___ No___ Is there a history of breast cancer in your family?Yes___…

A number of non-hormonal remedies are available for the treatment of hot flashes. Their goal is not to eliminate hot flashes altogether, but to diminish their intensity and frequency. Some of these interventions (e.g., vitamin E, black cohosh and soy products) are available over-the-counter. Others are available by prescription. Drug Dosage Side Effects Evening Primrose Oil Variable Nausea, diarrhea, blood clots. Do not use if seizure history or on…

Not all women experience menopause in the same way. For some, menopause can bring on uncomfortable symptoms. Others may experience few discomforts. Visit the listing below for helpful tips on how to cope with your menopausal symptoms. Relieving Hot Flashes Identify and avoid your hot flash "triggers." Common triggers include stress, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, tight clothing, heat and cigarette smoke. Keep the bedroom cool. Use fans during the day. Wear light layers of…

It is common to have questions about what to expect during your menopause experience. View the questions below to learn more about common concerns, or print out these questions and answers to discuss with your doctor. Can Menopause Cause a Woman's Voice to Change? The majority of women do not experience a voice change during menopause. Rarely, some women may lose the upper register of voice. What Can I Do About the Facial Hair I’ve Developed as a Result of Menopause? Although many women do…

Seeing the Light Ever see something drifting across the sky – then discover it’s actually drifting across your eye? That would be a "floater." Floaters are bits of debris in the interior of your eye that appear when you look at something white or very bright. “People describe them as cobwebs, spiderwebs, bubbles or even ‘tadpoles’,” says Arun Singh, MD, of Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. Dr. Singh, an ophthalmologist, or physician specializing in eye disorders, sees patients with…

Animation and Competition Encourage Kids to Stay Healthy New fitness equipment, expanded play areas and environmental program enhancements are just a few of the ways schools are benefiting from Clever Crazes for Kids (CCK), an online wellness program for children – ages 6 to 12 – that uses animated characters, competitive games and educational challenges to encourage students to adopt healthy lifestyles. Through its incentive competition, the program has awarded $70,000 to schools so far, to…

Who is at Risk for Colorectal Cancer? Every one of us is at risk for colorectal cancer. The lifetime risk is 1 in 18 people or about 6 percent of American men and women. Most people who develop colorectal cancer have no particular risk factors. Although the exact cause for the development of pre-cancerous colon polyps that lead to colorectal cancer is not known, there are some factors that increase a person’s risk of developing colorectal polyps and cancer. These risk factors…

Comfort food at its finest! A bowl of yummy whipped potatoes can warm anyone, even in the coldest of temperatures. The cream cheese flavor sends your taste buds soaring.

By Margaret McKenzie, MD There are few life events that can compare to the 280 or so-day journey called pregnancy. The roller-coaster ride of excitement and anxiety, combined with the vast changes going on in a woman’s body can be overwhelming. But a positive experience with pregnancy is well within your reach. It’s important to understand the myriad of changes going on in your body during pregnancy. The first thing that develops when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall is the…

What are the steps to successful aging? As we age, we make choices about our lifestyle, health care, personal pursuits, and our plans for old age. A few "steps to successful aging" will help guide us to healthy and active golden years. 1) Adopt and maintain healthy habits and positive lifestyles: Avoid cigarette smoking Have no more than one alcoholic beverage in a 24-hour period Exercise regularly, maintaining the triad of weight bearing, aerobic, and balance activities Maintain a…

Explore how breastfeeding your child can lower your breast cancer risk even if you have a family history of breast cancer.

Diet affects more than just your weight. Discover how women who use the DASH Diet and eat whole grains, low-fat milk, fruits and vegetables are 37 percent less likely to have heart failure.

The Self-Esteem Link A direct connection exists between your physical health and your self-esteem. By becoming a role model for your daughter (and your son), you can help her live a healthier life. In addition, a mother’s weight, body image, attitude and health habits are strong indicators of whether her daughter is overweight, satisfied with her body and physically active. Girls look to their mothers for advice on healthy living. Boys look to their mother as how to interact with someone from…

There are many alterations you can make to your daily life to lead a healthy lifestyle. Consider adopting these tips to live a heart healthy life. 1. Exercise Increasing your daily activity is a great and effective way to get heart healthy. Incorporate the ideas below into your daily routine: Lack of exercise is a proven risk factor for heart disease. Physical activity helps maintain weight, blood pressure and diabetes – all risk factors for heart disease. A woman should exercise at…

Cells in the body normally divide (reproduce) only when new cells are needed. Sometimes, cells in a part of the body grow and divide out of control, which creates a mass of tissue called a tumor. If the cells that are growing out of control are normal cells, the tumor is called benign (not cancerous). If, however, the cells that are growing out of control are abnormal and don't function like the body's normal cells, the tumor is called malignant (cancerous). Cancers are named after the part of…