Bioidentical Progesterone Cream

Those hormones which are structurally and chemically the same as the substances present in our body are known as bioidentical hormones. Almost all progesterone creams are bioidentical. These are easier to assimilate for the body thus, providing immediate relief from menopausal symptoms. A number of companies produce this bioidentical progesterone cream from wild Mexican yams. The wild Mexican yams contain a hormone called the phytoestrogen, which is similar to the progesterone found in the human body. Through laboratory methods, the former is synthesized into the latter.

These hormones, despite their advantages, can be extremely dangerous. They may have a number of serious toxic side effects. The damage depends upon the duration for which the product has been used for and the prescribed dosage. A number of scientists feel that progesterone creams should be avoided. They feel that proper changes in a person's diet and lifestyle can help rectify any imbalance in a person's hormones. Another danger of bioidentical progesterone creams is that their prolonged use can slow down the natural production of hormones in the body. In such a case, all those hoping to prevent the process of aging are just kept "hoping."

Since bio-identical progesterone creams are manufactured from soy and yam after laboratory synthesis, the product is thus unnatural. A pumpkin after synthesis can no longer be called natural. Hair loss, weight gain, facial hair growth, fatigue and depression are a few of the other symptoms that a consumer might experience.

It is extremely important to know that the only bioidentical hormones are the ones produced by the body. One may start using these supposed "bioidentical" hormones with great hope but the effects are usually temporary. As the conditions in which the body lives change, so do the hormonal requirements of the body. The formula of an artificial hormone inducer thus, requires to be changed from time to time.

Sorting Hormone Fact From Fiction

These are some of my favourite misconceptions or misunderstandings that turn up as regularly as my monthly cycle once did!

Progestins/Progestogens Are Not Progesterone!

This is the most frequent misunderstanding that occurs from doctors, patients and the press. Indeed I have even seen on one website the sentence that begins 'Progesterone (progestins)' which is one of the most blatant I have seen but not uncommon.

Progesterone is the natural hormone, progestins/progestogens are the synthetic chemical replacement found in the Pill, HRT and the Coil. Many women are told they are getting progesterone when in fact they are getting the opposite. My colleague Dame Dr Bond has also found that most of the anti-progesterone remarks relate to progestogens and if you refer to the papers in which such negative quotes appear they don't seem to know the difference which is depressing and frustrating for users.

Further there is growing concern amongst doctors familiar with bioidentical hormone usage that the progestins may prove to be as harmful as unopposed estrogen (estrogen dominance) has proved to be.

The Side Effects Confusion

Progesterone has been used for over 30 years without any side effects reported. On the other hand estrogen was showing side effects early on in its sole use in the original ERT (Estrogen Replacement Therapy) but these were ignored. It was almost 20 years before it was realised that estrogen replacement therapy had increased the risk of endometrial cancer dramatically.

Women Only Need Estrogen at Menopause

It is forgotten that women's production of estrogen does not stop at menopause but continues to be produced in the fat cells. Indeed that is probably why women develop a 'tummy' around this time to allow that process to take place - much as we may not wish it to!

Women do not continue to produce progesterone at menopause and if they are having unopposed estrogen then there is nothing to counteract its effects which are well documented and include increased risk of heart disease and breast cancer. Further, progesterone is essential to bone building and needed to keep bones strong and to build density that is lost and leads to osteoporosis.

Menopause Is A Natural Process That May Not Need Help

Well tell that to the many women suffering hormone imbalance and hot flushes and night sweats. In theory this is true and leads to the 'has nature got it wrong' debate' but ignores the fact that our lives are very different from our ancestors.

Women today are subject to excess oestrogen and chemical overload from food, water and medications. The biggest factor that exacerbates flushes is stress and this a major problem for many women juggling their lives today.

And of course our ancestors were not subject to surgery such as a hysterectomy which brings on an immediate enforced menopause without the natural and normal period of transition. This can often result in severe hormone disruption and the onset of hot flushes and sweats with a vengeance.

Summary

The choice to use natural hormones rests with each woman making an individual decision to do what is best for her symptoms and her body. The real proof of the success of natural hormones is their continuing, successful use now by several generations of women looking for an alternative to synthetic hormones.

For more information on 'Natural Progesterone' the book by Dame Dr Shirley Bond and AnnA Rushton please visit http://www.progesterone.co.uk/progesteronebook.htm

Menstrual Irregularity and PMS Treatment

Menstrual Irregularity means when there is change in the regularity schedule of periods. There can be a sudden bleeding for 2 weeks or you can miss periods for a month or two. Perimenopause is the gradual process of reaching menopause. You can go through the perimenopause period for months or even years during which the flow might suddenly increase or decrease. The periods become erratic.

Menstrual irregularity can be due to physical change where there is an imbalance in the hormones or psychological reasons which can change the balance of bodily functions. It can occur due to stress, excessive weight gain or weight loss, uterine cancer or abnormalities etc. It has been also observed that a vegetarian woman is more susceptible to have irregular periods than a non vegetarian woman due to the high amount of fiber intake in the diet which causes the estrogen levels to drop resulting in irregular menstrual. Other symptoms are hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, headaches and problem in sleeping.

Menstrual Irregularity can also occur if there is premature ovarian failure where the ovaries of women near her 40s stop functioning normally.

The PMS becomes worse since the body is getting ready for a drastic change again. Premenstrual Syndrome is a state where the level of progesterone decreases and there is an increase in the levels of estrogen, resulting in hormonal imbalance. Day to day work looks like a challenge and due to the mood swings; emotional outbursts, irritability it becomes quite frustrating dealing with the biological changes which are beyond control.

At times decreasing the intake of sugar, caffeine and salt and regular exercise helps deal with stress level that tends to build up during this phase. A visit to a Doctor is must during this period who would probably advise PMS vitamins or Hormone Replacement Therapy. At times magnesium levels need to be increased which should be done under the care of a Doctor.

Some women have got lot of relief from taking herbal medication while others have fallen for the ancient therapy of China- acupuncture which helps to regularize the blood flow and the periods. Another way to treat PMS is using bio-identical hormones which contain estrogen and progesterone.

At times PMS stirs a physiological mayhem bringing unresolved emotional issues at the forefront leading to depression. The best thing to do during such a time is to address and resolve the issues which are draining you emotionally. One way to handle PMS is to stay positive. Stress management can also help in improving the PMS condition.

To deal with acute PMS also known as PMDD (Premenstrual dysphonic disorder) in wherein the women is usually tensed, has mood swings, feels hopeless, anger and anxiety, the only medication approved is an antidepressant.

Botanical treatment where herbs and plants are used to help deal with PMS is also used as an alternative but some doctors are not aware of it and others don't recommend it since this has not yet been approved broadly.

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Learn Swedish - 4 Great Resources To Speed Learning

1) Start with Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone is the most well known language software program. It utilizes a unique system that attempts to mimic the environment that we all learn languages as children. Therefore, there are no translations or grammar rules. Instead, students must infer the meaning of Swedish words through context and pictures. This process truly aids in the retention of words and makes learning a much more enjoyable process. This software is the best place to begin learning Swedish.

2) Watch Swedish TV

One of the most difficult tasks in learning Swedish is being able to follow and participate in conversations. If you live outside of Sweden and are not surrounded by Swedish speakers, a great exercise is simply watching TV. The Swedish TV programs are well produced and often times the same as shows in the US. From sitcoms to reality shows, you can find it in Swedish

Even if you are a beginner, it still helps to watch these shows. Just try to listen for words you recognize. It's amazing what you will pick up on and it will really help you retain the Swedish words you've learned. Several of the online shows offer subtitles in Swedish at the bottom of the screen. Subtitles are ideal and will allow you to pick up on much more of each conversation. You can search for many of these shows online including Swedish TV3 or TV8.

3) Try the free online Swedish dictionary

Thanks to the internet, we no longer have to go to the bookstore and pay for expensive foreign language dictionaries. The benefit of an online dictionary is not just ease of use, but also accuracy. Folkets Lexicon is a free dictionary developed in Sweden that is on an open platform basis. Since it is an open platform, it is more likely that the translations you receive are relevant words and not antiquated translations. Simply type in any word in Swedish or English that you would like to translate and a list of suggestions will instantly populate. For verbs, the dictionary provides all the relevant tenses so learning verbs has never been easier. If you want to bring the dictionary on the go, it is possible to download the entire collection. Obviously, this open source dictionary is a great free resource to help you learn Swedish

4) Take lessons with LiveMocha.com

There are over 10 million people throughout the world that have joined this social language learning network. The website offers free Swedish lessons as well as a network to connect with native Swedish speakers. The lessons follow the same structure as Rosetta Stone which is the leading language instruction software. Live Mocha offers other free resources as well such as the ability to create flashcards or use flashcards that have been created by others. The social aspect of the site will help keep students motivated to learn and help create connections to Swedes.

Get Healthy - What Are The Benefits Of Resistance Training?

Resistance training is one of the ways you can get stronger muscles and a toner physique. The best way to get started is to get on your feet and give it a go.

Resistance Training - The Basics

When looking into resistance training there are a few basics to consider. The first is what qualifies as resistance. Any activity or exercise that makes use of weights, machines or even just the weight of your own body qualifies. Some people refer to this type of training as weight or strength training and it can be extremely useful in creating a healthy body.

Typically, this training is most often associated with athletes. This is because athletes often have to build their physique to meet certain criteria for their chosen sport. This is also the reason why most people believe that resistance training involves making the body larger. However, this is not necessarily the case. You can increase the strength of the body without having to increase its size.

This type of training can be done by anyone. It helps to build and tone muscle groups giving the body more appealing lines. Resistance training programs are also suitable for the disabled and elderly. In these types of modified training programs, standing free weights are often employed as resistance. If machines are used, they are generally considered moderate to low intensity.

How Does It Work?

These types of training programs make use of a wide variety of equipment options. Machines like bench presses, barbells and dumbbells are often employed. When using these machines the muscles of the body are forced to work harder in order to lift the additional weight. The result is hypertrophy. Hypertrophy involves the increase and enlargement of the nerve cells responsible for muscle contraction.

Prior to beginning, any resistance training program consult with your primary care provider to ensure the training program is safe for your physical condition. This is especially important for anyone who has a medical condition or who is overweight. Resistance training is not something that should be self-explored. In order to be effective you need to have the right type of equipment and you have to be conditioned to handle the training.

You can also do resistance training without equipment. Push-ups and sit ups are good examples of equipment free resistance exercises. They can be done almost anywhere and you make use of your own body weight as the resistance for your muscles.

The Benefits

1. Bone Mineral Density Increase: Bones are in constant flux. They are being built up at the same time that tissues are breaking down. This is a process called remodeling. Remodeling peaks during puberty. When a person ages however, the bone mineral density can become a problem because the remodeling process is not as active. This problem is predominately found in older people but especially women who have experienced menopause.

Hormones are generally responsible for the density of bone minerals. Physical activity can help address the problems that can be caused by a lack of these hormones. Resistance training is just one of the exercise options available.

2. An Increase in Overall Strength: A resistance training program is one of the ways to build not only strong muscles but strong bones as well. This leads to an overall increase in body strength.

3. Increase in Available Activities: As you increase the strength of your body, the number and intensity of activities you can do increases. Generally, this leads to an overall desire to be more active and to continue to push to see what you can do.

4. Reduction of Body Fat: Resistance training is often used to help tone muscles and various parts of the body by building muscles strength and reducing body fat.

5. Improved Health and Wellbeing for the Elderly: The elderly have special needs when it comes to exercise. Their bodies are not as resilient as they used to be. Exercise helps to reduce the risks of age on the body and helps to improve health.

6. The Heart: Heart health is important and regular activities like resistance training can help to lower blood pressure and heart rate. It can also help lower the risks of some heart diseases.

Resistance training must be properly done. Commitment and consistency are required in order to ensure success. Talk with your doctor about a schedule and program that is right for you and make sure to follow all instructions. Resistance training is a great way to improve your health, reduce weight and body fat and improve muscles tone but if done incorrectly it can lead to injury.

It is important to start with easy to handle exercises and programs and work your way up to more intense and challenging activities. Your body condition will improve easily and quickly if you follow these steps.

7 Questions to Ask Regarding Perimenopause and Libido

The usual perimenopause signs and symptoms are there: an erratic menstrual cycle, night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, memory and concentration loss, hair loss (or growth), trouble sleeping at night, weight gain, etc. Unfortunately for you and your partner, perimenopause and libido go hand in hand as well.

There are two possible effects on a woman's libido. It's either you have a perimenopause increased libido, or you have a decreased one. If it's the former and your partner are on the same level, then good for you. But if it's the latter, then both of you would need to understand why it's happening.

Your libido (and the other perimenopause symptoms) is due to a hormonal imbalance of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. The less progesterone you produce, the more your libido decreases. If you miss an ovulation, then no progesterone has been made.

A loss of libido doesn't always mean that it's automatically connected to perimenopause. To find out for sure, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I taking prescription medicine? Sometimes, the medicine you are taking greatly affects your sex life. For example, antidepressants like Effexor or Prozac lowers libido and sexual function. See what medicine you have in your cabinet and ask your doctor of their effects.
2. Am I on hormonal birth control? Birth control pills suppress a woman's ovulation. Therefore, it is no surprise that studies show decreased libido and lubrication during sexual intercourse.
3. Am I stressed out? Possibly the main factor on a losing or lessening sex drive is if you're stressed out. If you have kids and work at the same time, then that's completely understandable. Perhaps the best way is to talk to your partner to at least find a way to reduce some of your stress.
4. Am I depressed? Again, like stress, this is one big issue to consider. If you're depressed and you've been to the doctor, he would most likely have given you antidepressants to calm you down. (See number 1.)
5. What do I eat? Diet also plays a big role here. Saturated fats in takeaways and fast food stores are part of the reason why a person loses the drive. Always eat healthy foods, organic even.
6. Do I get enough sleep? If you are one of the unfortunate women who have sleep apnea, then this is bad news for you. This respiratory disorder lowers a person's sex drive. If you don't have one but you still have a frustrating sex life, then analyze if you're getting enough sleep. If you don't sleep well enough, you will feel tired, thereby hindering you from doing anything else.
7. How is my relationship with my partner going? This is a major contributor. If you feel that there's something wrong with your relationship, then open up as this is probably stressing you out. The lines of communication should always be wide open for you to better your commitment with one another.

Don't agree to a hormone therapy right away. HRT should be the last one to be taken into consideration, as this poses serious health risks to you. If you're bent on improving your sex life or at least the quality of it, try to research for other ways first. Ask your doctor, or try alternative medicine. Don't take the advice of others in an instant - what works on them might not work on you.

Good News for Hormone Replacement Therapy

News flash! You can safely get rid of your hot flashes! Estrogen is not so bad after all. A study in JAMA Journal of the American Medical Association April 2011 found that estrogen alone had a reduced risk of breast cancer and their risk of stroke declined after stopping the medication.

There is so much confusion regarding hormone replacement therapy. When evaluating the studies, you should consider a few things. The type of hormone (synthetic versus bioidentical), the route of administration (oral, transdermal or through the skin or other), the age when started and other therapies. These are just a few considerations.

This study cited in the media was done on women with hysterectomies using oral synthetic estrogen alone without any synthetic progestin. They began using the hormone in there 50's. There were 3 important findings:

• The first one is when you stop taking oral synthetic hormone therapy the increased risk of stroke and blood clots in the legs and lungs go down and so does the benefits on decreased hip fracture. Note: only oral estrogen produces blood clots and increases risk of stroke. Bioidentical estrogen given through the skin does not increase stroke or cardiovascular disease risk.

• The second major finding was a decreased risk of breast cancer. When we followed for another four years, that decreased risk of breast cancer persisted, so that, over the entire follow-up period, we saw a 23 percent decreased risk of breast cancer. Note: it was the oral, synthetic progestin that was implicated in increasing the risk of breast cancer.

• The third finding is that the risks and benefits of hormone therapy differ importantly by age for several types of chronic disease, heart attacks, colorectal cancer, death and then overall chronic diseases are lower among women taking hormone therapy in their 50s compared to placebo, but among women in their 70s, they actually had higher rates of all these conditions if they were taking estrogen alone vs. placebo. Note: In the Women's Health Initiative study the average age of women studied was 63 and most were 10 years post menopause.

So if you are considering hormone replacement therapy, be sure to keep in mind the differences in type, route of administration and age when you begin taking them. Discuss all of your options with a physician knowledgeable in bioidentical hormones to determine the most appropriate treatment given your age, risk factors and state of health.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Considered Ideal By Many

Women experience many transformations throughout their lives. The pre-teen and teenage years present many challenges, both physical and emotional. Over time, bodies change. In what seems to be a blink of an eye, a girls grow into women. As life progresses, falling in love, pregnancy, and raising a family dominates. While busy earning a living and raising a family, menstruation ceases and perimenopause begins. Thereafter periods cease and women are considered to be in menopause. The next challenge is deciding whether to take on bioidentical hormone replacement or stick with synthetic hormones.

While many women may say, or may have said, that menopause is welcomed with open arms, there are other physical changes that may not always be so pleasant. This is when physicians may introduce the idea of estrogen replacement. During menopause, the body stops producing estrogen and progesterone, leading to a variety of changes that may not always be viewed as satisfactory.

A woman is said to be in menopause after she has not had a period for one straight year after the approximate age of forty-five. This stage of life may lead to hot flashes, moodiness, susceptibility to osteoporosis, heart palpitations and more. Symptoms vary from woman to woman. Traditionally, hormone replacement therapies were given to alleviate these symptoms. However, other unwanted symptoms and conditions arose as a result. Specifically, breast cancer, stroke, and heart disease increased. In an effort to find a better alternative, a system that was more suited to each woman's chemistry and less likely to cause unwanted effects was introduced.

In an effort to be open and fair, there are individuals who oppose this treatment and believe there is not enough evidence in support of it. On the other side of the coin, just as many people have benefited from it. Staying on the positive side, this form of natural hormone therapy makes use of hormones that are identical to those naturally produced by the human body. The alternative option, the traditional stand-by, is taking synthetic hormones which are made from horse urine.

During the past decade, the use of natural hormone therapy has become center stage though it has been around for much longer than ten or fifteen years. Television talk shows, books, and radio programs have highly advertised this topic as true pioneers are interested in sharing what they have learned.

Natural hormones are made in a laboratory. They are only administered after a hormone panel is done. Depending on the results, a certain amount of progesterone, estrogen, and DHEA or testosterone will be given. The most easily used form comes in a cream. With each pulse the topical hormones enter the bloodstream, circulating until next dosage time.

The processes of the human body are inter-connected. Following a healthy diet and lifestyle supports natural hormone treatment plans. A healthy lifestyle supports the endocrine system which in turn helps the replacement hormones work at their best.

Understanding menopause is a necessary step as it goes hand-in-hand with understanding how bioidentical hormone replacement therapies work. In many women, memory becomes sharper and energy levels increase. There are standard formulations available made by drug companies for doctor's to prescribe just as there are certified offices that will customize ingredient dosages to match a woman's exact needs. This is very exciting for women who do not do well with the synthetic version.

Natural Cures for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

There are several natural cures to treat and control symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome. These natural cures come mainly in the form of lifestyle modifications, which includes adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise and weight loss and management. Natural cures help with symptoms and prevent health problems in the long-term. The symptoms that natural cures help with include abnormal menstrual cycles, abnormal hair growth, infertility, acne and obesity. They also can control and prevent cardiovascular symptoms that can arise from the condition, which include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Lifestyle modification is an important and effective means of managing the symptoms of PCOS. Many women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome are either overweight or obese, and weight loss has a number of benefits for the health of individuals with the disease. Individuals with PCOS should try to make sure that their weight falls within the healthy range, that is, a Body Mass Index of 19-25. Weight loss helps an individual get regular and normal menstrual cycles, and also helps balances hormone levels by reducing testosterone levels in the body. It improves chances of ovulation which helps with fertility. It has been found that even a weight loss of 5 per cent, can achieve these improvements in symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Weight loss is also an important way of preventing or controlling type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Not all individuals withPCOS are overweight and have a healthy weight. Instead of weight loss, weight management should be the focus.

Healthy eating and regular physical activity are an important way of naturally controlling symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Implementing a healthy diet and regular exercise provides a way to lose weight and/or manage weight. A healthy should consist of plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods and lean meats. It should exclude foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars, as well as processed foods. Individuals can incorporate various natural supplements in their diet to ensure they are getting all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. By adopting a healthy diet and losing excess weight, individuals can lower their blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity in their body, and balance the levels of hormones in their body.

Regular exercise should go hand in hand with a healthy diet to achieve health benefits and control of PCOS symptoms. Individuals should aim at getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, which includes moderate to vigorous physical activity. Exercise helps with weight loss and management, and improves insulin sensitivity in the body. Both a healthy diet and regular exercise can prevent health problems from occurring in the long term in individuals with polycystic ovarian syndrome who are predisposed to health conditions.

There are also various natural supplements and herbal remedies that you can use as a natural cure for PCOS. Chromium, B vitamins and zinc are among the natural supplements you can take, which help regulate blood glucose levels, control appetite and energy. Herbal remedies can help control hormonal imbalances and also help with improving insulin sensitivity. Such herbal remedies include chaste tree, tribulus and gymnema.

Natural Help For Fibroids

Up to a staggering 77 percent of women have fibroids, but happily they do not have to cause difficulties and many women manage with no treatment at all. In fact a substantial number may not even realise they have them but may recognize symptoms that do significantly lower your quality of life.

What Are They?

Fibroids are small, noncancerous growths on the uterus which can cause pain, excessive bleeding and even infertility. Why they appear is not something the medical profession agree on, but what is unarguable is that they definitely grow in response to excess oestrogen - a condition the late Dr John Lee identified as oestrogen dominance.

Conventional treatment is usually first to try and shrink them with drugs that can block or suppress estrogen such as gonadotropin releasing hormone medication which cause the ovaries to stop making estrogen. The second stage is surgery - a hysterectomy - which may solve the fibroids but brings on an instant menopause without the benefit of the body having time naturally to adjust to the change.

What Can You Do to Avoid Them?

As it is excess oestrogen that promotes fibroids, you need to ensure that you have good hormone balance. This means having enough progesterone (not from synthetic progestins such as in the Pill/Coil/HRT) but from a natural form of progesterone.

Excess oestrogen is balanced by progesterone in many ways from helping to balance weight as progesterone has a diuretic effect to protecting the heart and bones. Particulalrly it helps reduce the proliferative effects of oestrogen in the womb that can lead to fibroids and endometriosis. a

Getting your hormones in balance is the first stop, next is to ensure that you have a diet that also limits your oestrogen intake.

One of the key elements is fibre from fruit and vegetables - at least 20 to 30 grams a day is ideal - and the best sources are apples, whole grains, oatmeal, nuts and seeds. This will significantly decrease your circulating estrogen levels which in turn will prevent excessive uterine growth, a cause of fibroids. Less estrogen because of diet may cause your fibroids to shrink as your estrogen levels lower, just as fibroids shrink during menopause or when taking estrogen-lowering medications.

What Can You Do To Reduce Them?

Bioidentical natural progesterone can help shrink small fibroids and curb the growth or larger fibroids in addition to helping redress the hormone imbalance that causes the condition.

Eating a vegetable-based diet is also important because plant foods contain substances called phytoestrogens, or plant oestrogens. These substances bind themselves to the same cell receptors as estrogen. This blocks oestrogen's ability to affect your cells. Without the excess estrogen causing your uterus to grow, it can shrink along with your fibroids. Foods with high amounts of phytoestrogens include soy products, nuts, seeds and ground flaxseeds.

Foods to avoid

Avoiding certain foods may also help lower oestrogen levels and the chief suspects are sugar, caffeine and saturated fat. The authors of "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause" also suggest that women with fibroids cut back on dairy products and non-organic meats to avoid contact with hormone drugs and pesticides.

Summary

If you are subject to oestrogen dominance then there are some simple steps you can take to help avoid fibroid growth. Using natural hormones and a specific diet will go a long way to preventing the condition taking over your life.

Are You at Risk For Blood Clots?

Summer is once again here and many of my patients are traveling on vacations, or visiting friends and relatives across the country. Before they go, however, I like to give them some pre-travel advice about a potentially serious medical condition that can occur with long periods of sitting in cars, trains, and airplanes... blood clots.

Up to 600,000 Americans develop clots every year with 1 in 3 persons developing serious medical complications from them. I'd like to share with you the same advice I give my patients about the symptoms and risk factors for developing blood clots and how you can prevent them.

What Are Blood Clots?

They are clumps of debris or fat, coagulated blood, or even surgical materials, within veins. They can start in the legs and travel within the vein system to the brain, heart or lungs and cause a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism.

What Are The Symptoms of A Blood Clot?

The symptoms of a clot are varied, depending upon their origin, but almost always include sudden and/or severe pain at the site. All require immediate medical attention. Here's a list of the common types of clots and their symptoms:

Legs: Blood clots in the legs can often be overlooked as a pulled muscle, as they can feel like a "Charlie Horse" type of cramp. Look for swelling of the leg, warmth to touch, redness or bluish discoloration, pain.

Lungs: Sudden onset of shortness of breath. A stabbing, sharp chest pain that gets worse with deep breaths, fast heart beat and/or an unexplained cough that may contain blood.

Heart: A clot that has traveled to the heart will give the symptoms of a heart attack, severe, crushing-type chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Brain: A clot that has traveled to the brain is called an ischemic stroke, which is a blockage of blood flow. Its symptoms can include severe/sudden headache, confusion, blurred vision, dizziness, weakness on one side of the body, loss of balance or coordination/inability to walk, inability to speak or understand language.

Kidneys: Not as common as leg or lung blood clots, but kidney clots do occur. The symptoms are sharp pain in the lower back, usually on one side, inability to urinate, high blood pressure, retention of fluid, swollen ankles, and shortness of breath.

What Are The Risk Factors for Blood Clots?

Anyone can get a clot at any time, but generally the risks are highest with the following:

•Recent major surgery in the abdominal or pelvic area
•Prolonged bed rest in a hospital, nursing home over 3 days
•Knee and hip joint replacement
•Major trauma to the body such as an auto accident or serious fall
•Pregnancy, or recent childbirth

Other moderate, yet still very important, risks include:

•Age - over 65
•Smoking
•Long sitting during travel in a car, plane, train, bus
•Dehydration - inadequate water intake can cause blood to coagulate
•Under going chemotherapy
•Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
•Genetic predisposition
•Obesity/sedentary lifestyle

What Can I Do To Prevent Blood Clots?

Avoiding a blood clot involves reducing your risk factors where possible. In general, the following guidelines can help you prevent blood clots:

•Quit smoking. Period.
•If you travel for long periods, take an "exercise" break where you get up and walk around for several minutes every 2 hours of travel. This is easier to do in car or bus travel, not so easy in a plane or train. However, you can get up from your seat and walk to the restroom, and/or the club car once in a while. Shift your position in your seat, doing leg lift exercises, or ankle rotation exercises at your seat will also help.
•If you are overweight and sedentary, make some healthy, nutritional, diet changes and get up and exercise for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day. This can be done by taking a walk, riding a bike, Wii FIT in your living room, anything that gets you up and your blood moving.
•Stay hydrated! Drinking the correct amount of water everyday is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself for several reasons. Drink half your body weight in water every day, and a little more if you consume caffeine. Your blood needs water to stay at an optimum density which is not so thick as to form clots and not so thin as to run too freely and cause profuse bleeding if you cut yourself.
•Find out your clotting time. A simple blood test at your doctor's office can reveal if you have blood clotting issues present. You may need to make dietary changes (less vitamin K containing foods, take supplements that do not contain it) to help you prevent a clot from forming.
•Vitamin E - A low dose, 200 mg a day, can help prevent blood clots from forming.
•Hormones - if you take birth control pills and you are over the age of 35, you may want to consider another form of birth control. Similarly, if you are menopausal and on HRT, talk to your doctor about your risk for blood clots. Switch to physician-prescribed bioidentical hormones that have much lower risks for serious side effects than animal or synthetic derived hormones.

Blood clots can be scary business. Just knowing the symptoms of a blood clot can buy time in getting medical attention quickly. Though you may not be able to avoid certain high risk factors such as surgeries and/or prolonged hospital rest that may unexpectedly arise in your life, just trying your best to live a healthy lifestyle the rest of the time will help decrease your risk significantly. Happy, fun, and safe summer travels!

Detoxing and Oxygenation, With Quotes From Suzanne Sommers

Our lymphatic system, which is our "cell cleaning" system and has three times as much fluid as blood, is the fluid that surrounds each cell in our body. Unlike our blood which uses the heart to pump throughout the body, they lymphatic system does not have a pump to press the fluid waste and therefore relies on activity like exercise and stretching to assist in lymphatic drainage. Detoxification greatly assists the lymphatic system and keeps it from becoming congested. You can use certain devices, including Portable Infrared Saunas to perform oxygenation, and there are devices to help detoxify your body.

In an interview hosted by Suzanne Somers quoted from her new book Breakthrough Eight Steps to Wellness, she talked with Dr. Steven Hotze (Hotze Health & Wellness Center in Houston, TX). Here is what he had to say about health and wellness- "The backbone of anti-aging, and health in general, is hormonal replenishment" (bioidentical hormones made naturally). "Then you need to exercise; you've got to clean out, as in detoxification, and if you have allergies we treat for that. These are the things that plague people in today's world but are usually treated with pharmaceuticals- which as you know won't get them better."

Chemicals have been introduced to our society on a daily basis. Consumption of MSG, fluoride, mercury and aspartame are some of the toxins that build up in our bodies and break down the nerves, cells and brain function. We need to understand and protect ourselves from these environmental challenges. One step we can take is to detoxify regularly.

To stay at optimal health and wellness, we need to eat more natural and unprocessed organic foods whenever possible. We need to treat our bodies using natural bioidentical hormones when we are deficient in these areas.

We highly recommend the book "Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness", by Suzanne Somers, who has personally fought cancer, and adrenal depletion.

Aspects You Need To Know About Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Every one ages and with that aging comes a decrease in hormones that are crucial for proper body functioning. Both men and women experience serious and at times devastating side effects from the lowered hormonal levels in their bodies due to natural aging. The good news is research has found a way to substitute these hormones and get you back up to par.

Here's what you ought to know about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy:

Some of the products that are produced by pharmaceutical companies produce hormones from synthetic ingredients in them. These ingredients are simply disguised chemicals. The only means to true hormonal replacement is with natural hormones. These are the hormones that match the exact molecular structure of the hormones present in your body. Natural hormones would work with your system to offer you with the healthy results you ought to have.

Several women suffer from the symptoms of menopause. However, men even have a change that comes over them as they begin to age that is similar in many ways to the female menopause. For men, andropause could dramatically change a way of life. Hormone replacement therapy using all natural hormones can help greatly in soothing the horrible symptoms of andropause.

Do you have hot flashes which come out of nowhere? Do you suffer from memory loss that seems sudden? Several men and women have the symptoms of weight gain and loss of sex drive from the lowering of hormones in their body. Once you have these levels back on kilter, you would feel remarkable results. The hormone oxytocin is a hormone that directly affects reproduction and has been dubbed the 'love' hormone. Increasing this hormone to normal and healthy levels would assist to cure the loss of your sex drive.

Weight gain is one of the side effects of hormonal imbalance which could lead to many other health problems. Using natural hormone therapy coupled with a well-balanced diet and exercise will aid you to lose weight. Your good health depends lots on your hormones, especially as you grow older. Make sure you take the steps to keep them balanced.

Treatment of Scurvy

Scurvy (N.Lat scorbutus) is a deficiency disease, caused by lack of vitamin C, which is required for collagen (an element of normal tissues) synthesis in humans. The chemical name of vitamin C is ascorbic acid, which is derived from the Latin name of scurvy, scorbutus. Vitamin C is found mainly in fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly citrus fruits such as oranges, olives, lemon, sweet lemon. Reduction in intake of Vitamin C rich food products, leads to scurvy.

History of the disease:

Scurvy historically affected mostly those nations, which were dependent more on military power. During military campaigns and long ocean voyages, food consumed by the ship crewmembers largely lacked in fresh fruits and vegetables, thus causing inadequacy of Vitamin C and leading to outbreak of scurvy epidemics.

The first clue to the treatment of scurvy occurred during Jacques Cartier's arrival in Newfoundland in 1536, when he was advised by the native Indians to give his crewmembers, who were dying from this epidemic, a potion made from spruce tree needles. The foliage, rich in vitamin C, cured most members of Cartier's crew.

What are the symptoms of scurvy?

Symptoms of Scurvy include one or any of the following -

o Swollen, blackened and bleeding gums with loosened teeth.

o Soreness and stiffness of the joints and lower extremities

o Bleeding under the skin and in deep tissues

o Anaemia

o Wounds that don't heal, and scar tissue from old wounds dissolve causing reopening of wounds

o Tiredness and weakness, along with muscle cramps

o Appearance of tiny red blood-blisters to large purplish blemishes on the skin of the legs.

Who are more at risk of contracting Scurvy?

Scurvy is common in persons who follow a very restricted diet especially lacking in ascorbic acid, or who are under extreme physiological stress or are chronic alcoholics. Infants can also develop scurvy if they are devoid of mother's milk, and switched to top-up milk, without providing sufficient Vitamin C supplements. Babies of mothers who take extremely high doses of vitamin C during pregnancy may also develop infantile scurvy.

Treatment for Scurvy:

Increase in intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, especially citrus fruits are necessary to treat scurvy. Additionally, adults need to consume around 300-1,000 mg of ascorbic acid per day and 50mg/day in case of infants to effectively treat the disease.

Since the body does not produce vitamin C, it must be obtained from fruits and vegetables. Some excellent sources of vitamin C are oranges, olives, guava, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, strawberry, kiwi fruit, mango, honey, mango powder, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and citrus juices or juices fortified with Vitamin C.

Amla or the Indian gooseberry is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C, whether fresh or the dried, powdered form.

Raw and cooked leafy greens (turnip, spinach), red and green peppers, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, pineapple are also rich sources of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is sensitive to light, air, and heat, so it is best to eat fruits and vegetables raw, or minimally cooked in order to retain their full vitamin C content.

Treatment of Scurvy with vitamin C is usually successful, if the deficiency is recognized early enough. If left untreated, the condition can even cause death.

Preventive diet for Scurvy:

For Infants -

The most important factor in the prevention and treatment of scurvy is proper feeding of mother's milk, atleast for the initial six months. After birth, all children should preferable be breast-fed because it is pure and fresh and contains most of the nutrients necessary for the growth and development of the baby. If, for any reason, it is not possible to breast-feed the baby, then cow's milk or commercially available milk should be supplemented with vitamin C.

For Adults

A well balanced diet plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of scurvy in adults. The patient should take a well-balanced diet consisting of grains, seeds, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruit. This diet should always be supplemented with milk, eggs, fruits and honey.

Recommended Vitamin C intake:

Scurvy is rare in countries where intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is more. The Vitamin C present in them acts as important antioxidant, thus enhancing the development of connective tissues, lipid and vitamin metabolism, immune function and wound healing.

Currently, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is

o For adults: 50-60 mg/day;

o For infants: 35 mg/day;

o For pregnant women: 100 mg/day

o Lactating mothers: 150 mg/day

However, requirement for vitamin C increases when a person is under stress, smoking, or under some medication.

Although rare, but scurvy remains a malaise condition that is still prevalent in the pediatric population, especially among certain groups with unusual eating habits. A heightened awareness towards intake of Vitamin C rich foods is required to prevent a potentially fatal, but easily curable disease.
Thus, take the suggestion - "An orange a day keeps scurvy away."

Bio-Identical Hormones - What They Are and How They Can Help You

What are they?

Bio-identical hormones can be considered as a natural alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Well, we are already aware of the fact that HRT is the synthetic version of the hormones of females. They term 'Bio-identical' is given as a reference to estrogen and progesterone, which are identical to the hormones produced in a female's body. Whenever a woman experiences some sorts of hormonal depletion or enters menopause, the first solution that the doctors will usually prescribe is hormone replacement therapy. However, nobody can ignore the fact that there are some sorts of dangers associated with this therapy. Hence, it is obvious that women started to search for an alternative, especially a natural alternative in order to get rid of HRT. This is where the importance of bio-identical hormones is actually realized.

How are they helpful?

Well, the pharmacies, which are specialized in making compounds in order for perfect regulation of every woman's level of identical hormone, are where this type of hormone compound is actually made.

We all are aware of the fact that earlier there will only a few methods were available for treating andropause or menopause. In fact, thousands of men as well as women are undergoing this disorder. The options are open today due to the availability of a great thing called bio-identical hormones. On the other hand, you would have already come across many women gone through menopause and thereby suffered through varieties of emotional as well as physical problems, especially at this period. Some most common symptoms are such as loss of libido or dry skin, night sweats, weight gain, flushing, headaches etc, which are absolutely unpleasant to deal with. In some cases, these symptoms have been noticed to last more than 4 years.

Hence, for those who are looking forward to get rid of this agony in a safer and natural way, bio-identical replacement therapy is the only option available. Many men as well as women have overcome the declining levels of sex hormones successfully after going through this therapy. In fact, just going through the clinical reports and testimonials with regard to this therapy, posted on various online websites will make you to realize the fact that the using bio-identical therapy for a short is absolutely safe and effective as well. In fact, this therapy has already proven itself as successful in Europe as well as United States.

Most of the experts are recommending short term use of bio-identical hormones as a natural alternative. It is also recommended for a reason that it has the capability to protect against heart attacks and osteoporosis. On the other hand, a woman can suffer from uterine and breast cancer due to unopposed estrogens post especially in postmenopausal period. Hence, it is advised for all those women who are willing to make the most of this therapy to discus this topic with proper health care providers. It is also advised to go online as internet is also providing much valuable information regarding this topic.

Why Do People Use Compounding Pharmacies Vs A Normal Pharmacy?

The pharmacy practice has evolved to provide different types of medications for certain medical conditions. The traditional role of pharmacies has been to dispense medications to patients that were manufactured by mass market manufacturers. These pharmacies also provide such services as reviewing medications for safety and efficacy, providing drug information to patients. The role of the traditional pharmacy has been experts in drug therapy of traditional drugs and medications.

The role of a pharmacy extends to another area known as compounding pharmacy. Compounding pharmacies provide a customized treatment for a specific patient for a specific disease. The medications are compounded to be dispensed in non traditional methods that are not normally commercially available. This can include taking a medication and dispensing it in a form that is not usually dispensed for this medication such as liquids, capsules, suppositories, troches, or Transdermal forms. The compounding pharmacist also can customize and dispense medications which are no longer commercially available.

Compounding enables physicians to prescribe medications in dosage strengths not manufactured commercially. Through compounding, the pharmacist can customize medications to meet a particular patient's requirements such as sugar-free, corn free, gluten free, lactose free, preservative free, and flavored to the patients' choice. As well, the compounding pharmacist can add inactive ingredients to certain side effects. Compounding pharmacies have their own labs where they compound medication as prescribed by a physician. The distinctive methods of delivery allow for more options for administration.

People use compounding pharmacies over regular pharmacies for the following reasons:

1) The patient requires medications that do not contain certain inactive ingredients such as preservatives, sugar, lactose, alcohol, dyes, gluten and casein.
2) Patient requires another route of administration. For instance, if a patient has difficulty swallowing they need another way of taking the medication such as Transdermal. Other dosage types include liquid, suppository, lozenge, creams, nasal sprays, inhalations, lollipops...etc
3) Minimize the potential for side effects.
4) To provide an uncommon dose strength.
5) Patients requiring allergen-free medications
6) Children who require flavored liquid drugs
7) Patients who require drugs that have been discontinued by pharmaceutical manufacturers

The pharmacy industry has evolved to meet the changes of treating health conditions. Those who have a particular need when taking medication will make use of the compounding pharmacy. Pharmaceutical companies are regulated by the FDA so they have to meet strict quality control standards to ensure their products are safe. They also have to ensure that each batch that is made is consistent with other batches.

In the 1930s and 1940s, most of the medications that were created were done by compounding. When drug manufacturing developed into mass manufacturing, the method of compounding medication began to decline. Now, the pharmacy practice includes a blend of the old methods of mixing and dispensing medications as well as modern services. The goal is to ensure that all patients receive the best health care services. This in turn helps achieve a positive health treatment outcome for a patient.

Causes, Symptoms and Effects of Hormonal Imbalance in Women

What is hormonal balance?
In women, the body produces two important types of hormones, progesterone and estrogen, among others. In the first half of the menstrual cycle, the body produces high levels of estrogen. In the second half, due to ovulation, the body begins to produce high levels of progesterone. This balances out the estrogen produced earlier. When the body maintains balance between these hormones throughout the changes occurring in the menstrual cycle, hormonal balance is achieved.

What is hormonal imbalance?
In perimenopausal women, there may be months when ovulation does not take place. However, ovulation is the event that triggers the production of progesterone. In the absence of progesterone, the surplus of estrogen does not get balanced out. This is an instance of unbalanced hormones in the body.

What are its causes?
Age is the primary factor. As women cross their mid-thirties, they actually enter the perimenopausal stage. In this stage, while normal amounts of estrogen are produced, progesterone is unavailable. This leads to a condition call estrogen dominance. This is the most common kind of hormonal inequality in women.

Low levels of estrogen, as seen in menopausal women, also leads to hormonal imbalance. This is also a direct result of the aging process because the body is unable to produce sufficient amounts of estrogen as the years pile up.

Another cause is the current lifestyle. Environmental poisons enter the body through food and pollutants. Animal products that contain artificially pumped hormones are also responsible for introducing high levels of hormones into the body. This, in turn, disturbs hormonal level in the body.

It may also be triggered by the intake of certain medication. The pill is one common culprit. Other factors like the use of certain cosmetics, sedentary lifestyle and excess stress may also lead to unbalanced hormones.

What are the effects of hormonal imbalance?
Hormones are pretty powerful entities within the body. That is why they) can cause a number of serious problems. For instance, estrogen dominance can trigger breast cancer, growth of fibroids in the uterus, hair loss, cysts or fibrous growth in the breasts, cancer in the uterus, loss of memory, low sex drive, aging, bloating, unexplained weight gain, thyroid problems and mood swings, to name a few. Low levels of estrogen also have severe impact on the mind and body. It can lead to early aging, hot flashes, depression and mood swings.

It is important to understand that unbalanced hormones may not produce all or any of these symptoms in all women. Symptoms may be more dominant in some women, while there may be no symptoms in others.

In case of severe symptoms, it is recommended that patients undergo Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). This supplies hormones to the body and establishes hormonal balance once again, which helps sufferers lead normal lives.

Night Sweats During Perimenopause and Bio-Identical Progesterone A Natural Relief

Night sweats are the nocturnal cousins of a woman's hot flashes. Although they may be disruptive and uncomfortable, they do not normally signal underlying conditions. This article is for women who are going through perimenopause and experiencing nighttime sweats. A woman may have a few questions about menopause and symptoms.

During menopause a woman may go through a whole host of emotional and physical symptoms that might be very unsettling for her. Seventy-five percent of women at menopause may experience night sweats.

A night sweat is an episode of sweating. Night time sweating ranges from a mild sweat to a profuse sweat. A night sweat is similar to a woman's hot flashes that sometimes affect a perimenopausal woman during her waking hours. A woman may often experience such an intense sweat that it may interrupt her sleep. This may affect the woman's daily life. Usual symptoms of nighttime sweats may consist of sudden and extreme heat, nausea, irregular heartbeat, chills, flushing and headaches. Women with menopausal night sweats may have anywhere from a mild to a severe symptom of nighttime sweat during their normal sleeping hours.

Progesterone imbalances in a woman are created when the progesterone hormones are higher or lower than normal in a woman's body. Progesterone hormones and other hormones travel in a woman's body as communication messengers, telling each system what to do. An imbalance in these hormones may cause uncomfortable symptoms during menopause. Progesterone levels in a woman may change quite easily at different times during the night. Progesterone imbalance means that there are uneven amounts of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body. Optimal health in women may depend on a balance of estrogen and progesterone levels. If there is a deficiency in progesterone, she may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as night sweats.

The most common cause of a night sweats is a progesterone imbalance due to the decline of hormones as women age. Progesterone imbalances may also be caused by unhealthy lifestyles. The first symptom of progesterone imbalance in the perimenopause stage is an irregular period or fatigue. Other symptoms may be either physiologically or psychologically manifested in a woman.

Psychological problems may include:

• Osteoporosis


• Hot flashes and nighttime sweats


• Lowered libido


• Low energy


• Weight gain or loss


• Incontinence


• Physiological symptoms may include:


• Memory loss


• Anxiety


• Depression


• Mood swings


• Difficulty concentrating

When levels of estrogen are high the levels of progesterone may drop. Studies show that diets, which contain foods that help stabilize estrogen levels, may help to regulate or prevent symptoms of hormone imbalances such as night sweats. These foods include yams, wheat, rice, potatoes, cherries, alfalfa, apples and soy. Foods that boost progesterone are oils, olives, seeds and nuts and avocados.

Using alternative medicine is a very good choice in treating a woman's hormonal imbalances in a natural and safe way. An alternative approach with natural progesterone cream is the only option that may treat a problem at its source. These approaches may use various therapies. Herbal remedies are a popular choice. Wild yams, licorice, unicorn root, fenugreek, and dong quai are all used by women to successfully balance progesterone and aid in controlling night sweats.

Benefits may be obtained from supplementing a diet with minerals, vitamins, herbs and other nutrients. Eating more fruits and vegetables as well as green leafy veggies is beneficial for a person's health, as they are full of antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins. Seafood is important in a woman's diet as they provide protein and Omega 3 fatty acids. Exercising is a good way of maintaining weight and keeping healthy. Exercise and proper nutrition help to improve hormone imbalance. Triggers that may increase night swears are alcohol or caffeine. High quality vitamin supplements add beneficial nutrients for your overall health.

Experts may frequently recommend lifestyle changes and natural treatments for women who suffer from night sweats. This approach involve avoiding night sweat triggers, relieving stress, improving diet and increasing exercise. For example, dairy products, eggs and nuts may all help with a good night's sleep. By knowing about menopause and its symptoms a woman may take steps to start living a healthier life.

Night sweats and natural progesterone cream for relief

You may wonder why women choice Natural progesterone cream over drug HRT. Many women feel it is a safe and effective hormone replacement therapy. It may gently balance a woman's hormones at the root of the symptoms.

Natural progesterone cream contains bio-identical molecules that mimic a women's natural progesterone. It is effectively the same as the progesterone that your body produces. Many patients who use natural progesterone cream have seen immediate results. Dr. John Lee used natural progesterone cream treatment instead of HRT or ERT for hormone symptom relief for over 30 years.

Many Doctors use progesterone cream as a natural hormone replacement therapy. Women prefer like it mainly because it safely reduces nightsweats and they feel better.

What is progesterone?

Progesterone is usually a precursor to all other hormones inside the body including estrogen and testosterone. What does Progesterone do in your body Progesterone has many functions in the endocrine system. Progesterone balances the ratio of low estrogen or high or low progesterone.

Natural progesterone cream is the only bioidentical hormone that may efficiently achieve relief for your symptoms. It addresses the cause of hormone imbalance, therefore may help relieve your symptoms.

Natural Progesterone Cream with Wild Yam and Chaste Tree Berry is a recommended approach. Natural progesterone cream is the only bioidentical hormone that may efficiently achieve relief for your symptoms. Natural progesterone cream addresses the cause of hormone imbalance, therefore may help relieve your symptoms. A lot of women may find that a natural progesterone cream is the easiest kind of alternative treatment for them to use. It has no side effects. It is economical and effective.

Natural progesterone cream treats a hormonal imbalance at its own source. It is the only natural remedy that addresses the cause of hormone imbalance. The cause of hormone imbalance is the ratio of estrogen to progesterone and decline of all hormones.

It might be quite difficult for a woman to accept the transition into menopause. It is important her to understand that this is very normal. It is important for a woman to understand that nighttime sweats are harmless and may be eased with a natural treatment.

This is for education only. It is not intended to treat, prevent or cure a medical disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult a health care professional.

Are Bioidentical Hormones Right For You?

It is a fact that all women will reach a point in their life when they will go through menopause. It is something every woman can expect, but the way it is experienced can be different for everyone. While some women go through a less uncomfortable period, there are others who need help for relief from their symptoms. Difficult symptoms include night sweats, dizziness, headaches, bloating, fatigue, mood swings, insomnia and a range of other discomforts that can affect an individual's quality of life.

For those experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, there is a solution. Because menopause is caused by the imbalance of hormones which change as the body grows with age, the treatment is to return the balance. In the past, hormone replacement therapy, which refers to the use of commercial drugs made with synthetic hormones, was used but with more research and innovative solutions, hormone therapy became an alternative. Bioidentical hormone therapy is often called "natural hormone therapy" because it acts in the body just like the hormones we produce. But here again, that tricky word natural muddies the waters. Pregnant mares' urine is natural, but Premarin is not bioidentical, at least not to human estrogen. The same goes for Cenestin, which is made from plants but is not bioidentical. With biodentical hormone replacement, the dosage is made matching the very make-up of a patient and prepared in doses specifically for her. Since the bioidentical hormones are identical in molecular structure to a patient's own hormones, her body responds better and can relieve discomfort.

Technically, the body can't distinguish bioidentical hormones from the ones your ovaries produce. On a blood test, your total estradiol reflects the bioidentical estradiol you've taken as well as the estradiol your body makes. On the other hand, Premarin is metabolized into various forms of estrogen that aren't measured by standard laboratory tests. Proponents of the hormones say that one advantage of bioidentical estrogen over Premarin is that estrogen levels can be monitored more precisely and treatment individualized accordingly. Skeptics counter that it hardly matters, because no one knows exactly what hormone levels to aim for, and symptoms, not levels, should be treated and monitored.

If you are suffering from a difficult menopausal stage, bioidentical hormone therapy can be a treatment option for you. A doctor that practices, and is educated in, hormone replacement therapy can help determine if this is the best option. Also, these bioidentical hormone products are specifically tailored for every patient and may not be readily available in conventional pharmacies; therefore they require a doctor's referral for it to be made at a compounding pharmacy for you. Today there are many compounding pharmacies available for this service but you can be more confident with one that is PCAB-accredited. That means your hormones are made with the highest standards.

Find out more about bioidentical hormones from a reliable compounding pharmacy. Get the right treatment to get your life back.

How to Prevent Hair From Shedding

Most people who have experienced hair shedding or telogen effluvium know that it can be very difficult to stop. Once the genie is out of the bottle so to speak, it's very hard to stop it in it's tracks. Often, once this process starts, stopping it is either a time game or the ability to luck up on your trigger and promptly fix it. The easiest way to stop shedding is to prevent it from happening in the first place. The following article will offer tips to help you do just that.

Avoid Experimenting With Hormones Unless It Is A Last Resort: There's been so much buzz about bio identical hormones and creams to keep women looking young. Often, women will experiment with different things, not understanding that these things can alter your body's mechanisms quite dramatically. Fluctuating hormones is a very common cause of women's hair loss. Some women can not help this. Age or medical issues can cause your hormones to lessen or start and stop, but there is no reason to help this process along yourself by throwing supplements or medications at your body that aren't medically necessary.

Of course, there are times when you may well need to adjust your hormones, but this should only be attempted under medical supervision (and you should have a physician who specializes with this and knows what they are doing.) The hit and miss and hoping something sticks treatment for hormones is often an invitation for more shedding. Often, hormones are not the cure for shedding - they are the cause, especially for women who are vulnerable to these fluctuations. And, many vitamins and supplements can effect this as well, including soy and black cohosh.

I also sometimes see men experiment like this too. They'll "try" propecia or adovart, hoping to see a dramatic change. But, sometimes these drugs set off a shed for those who don't have high androgens and DHT. Again, this should be done with a qualified doctor's supervision and only after blood work shows a definitive problem.

If There Is A Medical Issue Or Trigger, Aggressively Fix It. Don't Just Hope That It Works Itself Out: Hypothyroidism, auto immune disorders, and over taxed adrenals are examples of health issues that can cause hair loss. Many people will hope and assume that their body will adjust and the shedding will stop. This is often not the case. Very often, the hair loss doesn't stop until the medical condition is treated and the body returns to normal levels. This often takes time, but it's important that you stay on top of returning to optimal health as soon as possible, so that your hair follows suit.

Understand That You Must Treat (And Prevent) The Inflammation Also: No matter what the cause of your hair shedding, most all of it will have inflammation as a by product. The mechanism of many hair follicles cycling through at one time can cause a lot of inflammation in your scalp and hair follicles. This will often manifest itself as a pink or red scalp, itching or flaking, or general pain and tightness.

The second that you notice these symptoms (even before you experience any shedding), take action. There are many effective anti inflammatories, but I prefer the natural ones because the harsh, chemical ones, at least in my opinion, do more harm than good. Many of the hard core products contain a lot of alcohol or SLS, which can further irritate and wound your scalp. I believe that natural ingredients like tea tree or emu oil work better, but must be properly diluted and rotated as to not clog and prevent healthy regrowth.

Thyroiditis Symptoms

Natural Alternative Cures with an Integrative Approach

Inflammation of the thyroid gland can result from many causes. The thyroid is located at the base of the neck just below the voice box. It makes hormones that control the rate at which cells burn fuel and how rapidly they create new fuel to store from food.

The most common form of thyroid inflammation is hypothyroidism, under-functioning of the thryroid, called Hashimoto's thryroiditis. Other forms are Postpartum, Subacute, drug-induced, radiation-induced and Acute.

Each different type of this disease has its own causes, clinical features, diagnoses, durations, resolutions, conditions and risks.

The Most Common Hypothyroid Symptoms

Common hypothyroid symptoms may include fatigue, weight gain, feeling "fuzzy headed," depression, dry skin, and constipation. Other, more rare symptoms include swelling of the legs, vague aches and pains, decreased concentration and so on. When conditions become more severe, depending on the type of thyroiditis, one may start to see puffiness around the eyes, slowing of the heart rate, a drop in body temperature, or even incipient heart failure. On the other hand, if the thyroid cell damage is acute, the thyroid hormone within the gland leaks out into the bloodstream causing symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, which is similar to those of hyperthyroidism. These symptoms include weight loss, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, fast heart rate, and fatigue.

Thyroiditis can also be caused by an infection, like a virus or bacteria, which works in the same way as antibodies to cause inflammation in the glands. Certain people make thyroid antibodies, and thyroiditis can be considered an autoimmune disease, because the body acts as if the thyroid gland is foreign tissue.

Just because antibodies are involved does not mean that the 'cause' has been found. The question as to why the antibodies are attacking in the first place still needs to be answered. To find the cure for the thyroid, regardless of the 'itis' requires doing what will allow the body to correct the malady and put an end to the malfunctioning endocrine gland. Even when bacteria is suspected in an 'infection', being that most infections are handled just fine by the body itself, why not consider encouraging the immune system to fight the 'infection' itself?

Often the simple answer to cure is simple blood testing for the thyroid hormones, T3, T4, T7, and thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH. Often basic nutrients are missing so that the thyroid can rebuild itself. We often find that free radicals, molecules missing an electron, or heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury can interfere with chemical reactions....those heavy metals need to be chelated out of the body with oral chelating agents and the free radicals need to be neutralized with antioxidants.

Hormone replacement therapy should only be an option when the endocrine gland has been removed by surgery or eradicated with radiation treatments. As long as some of the endocrine gland remains, the safest approach is to nutrify it and detox the tissues at the same time after blood tests have confirmed the need. The blood test results can also serve as a yardstick to measure healing results on follow-up testing.

This is what a naturopathic, alternative approach encompasses...finding a way to allow the body to heal itself so that the person does not have to take a hormone replacement the rest of their life. When we give hormones to a person who is still able to produce some of the hormone themselves then we are actually encouraging the person to stop making their own hormones! This can only be to their detriment.

What about using bio-identical hormones? These molecules are closer to the original configuration of the molecule that the body makes itself. But the same problem exists...the body will be encouraged NOT to make its own hormone if another one is given orally from outside the body, as when we take pills.

Taking nutrients is different though. When we take nutrients orally, those molecules are molecules that are naturally found in foods in the form of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, trace minerals and enzymes. They usually are not hormone in nature. When we take these nutrients with our food, they mix with the food and make it more nutritious than it was before the mixing. If you look at how healthy our food was 100 years ago, compared to today, you would find a big difference. So when we mix nutritional pills with our food we are returning our food to the chemical strength it used to have 100 years ago.

The difficult part is determining which of the 2000 products in the health food store would be best for you. A 52 element blood test combined with a hair and urine analysis will yield about 103 separate pieces of information on which to choose the 10 or so most likely nutritional medicines to treat your thyroiditis.

Lifestyle Choices to Reverse Fibroids and Endometriosis

The incidence of fibroids and endometriosis are nearly epidemic in the USA. More than a half million American women have hysterectomies every year due to problems associated with fibroids and endometriosis. It is estimated that around 40% of American women 35 and older have fibroids and 10 to 20 percent of American women of childbearing age have endometriosis. Fortunately, there are choices you can make to help this condition.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a common gynaecological condition which can affect up to 15% of all women. Half of all women with endometriosis will be infertile. It is a condition where the lining of the womb implants and grows outside the womb itself. They can growth in the Fallopian tubes, pelvis, bowel bladder and even the nasal passages. The tissue bleeds every time there is a period, but in endometriosis the blood has no outlet and becomes trapped in the tissue causing pain, inflammation, cysts and scar tissue. It appears endometriosis is sensitive to oestrogen, so high oestrogen levels are linked to endometriosis. Common symptoms are pain during periods, painful sex (60% of all cases), heavy or irregular periods, back pain, nausea, fatigue, GI problems and infertility.

What are Fibroids?

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in or on the muscular wall of womb and affects about 20% of women over age of 30. Symptoms are mainly heavy periods-due to surface of the womb being bigger, but no pain. Sometimes women experience frequent urination, constipation and even back ache, for some there is a risk of anaemia and infertility.

Risk Factors Associated with Endometriosis and Fibroids

Excess Levels of Estrogen / Deficient Progesterone: Excess estrogen causes abnormal tissue growth and is a direct cause of both fibroids and endometriosis for many women.

X-Rays: Any amount of radiation may increase the risk of fibroids. Many women actually develop these problems months after a mammogram.

Too Much Caffeine: A 2001 study published in Fertility and Sterility revealed that women who consume 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is the equivalent of 4-5 cups of coffee, produce 70% more estrogen in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle than women who consume less than 1 cup of coffee.

Meet: Research published in Obsetrics and Gynecology discovered that eating red meat doubles the risk of developing uterine fibroids. This is most likely due to the hormone injections and antibiotics given to conventional animals.
Oral Contraceptives: Statistics show that a large percentage of women who have these issues have taken the pill. Oral contraceptives can also aggravate fibroid problems and endometriosis for susceptible women.

Lifestyle Changes that can Help Endometriosis and Fibromyalgia.

Fiber - Increase the amount of fibrous foods in the diet to balance estrogen's .
Lose Weight - Being obese increases the number of fat cells in the body, which produce more oestrogen increasing hormone levels.
Stress - stress can cause women to stop ovulating and hormonal issues.
Avoid alcohol - It is the job of the liver to break up oestrogen levels and excrete them, so excess alcohol is a burden to the liver .
Avoid Sugar and simple carbohydrates such as white bread - These foods cause inflammation, pain and swelling.
Avoiding smoking - this depletes micro-nutrients required for healthy hormone balance and the immune system.
Essential Fats - EFAs help to metabolize hard, clogging saturated fats that contribute to fibroid growths. EFAs also help maintain hormone balance and reduce inflammation- important.
Cruciferous veggies - These vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts and contain a natural antioxidant with powerful anti-tumor activity called Indole 3 carbinole. This improves estrogen metabolism and the body's ability to eliminate excess estrogen.

The Ups and Downs of Hormonal Imbalance

Remember that catchy song that goes, "When you're up your up, and when you're down, you're down, and when you're only half-way way up, you're neither up nor down? Sorry! Now you have it stuck in your head. The reality though is that emotional ups and downs are not "all in your head." There is a clear connection to hormonal imbalance and before immediately signing up for prescription anti-depressants and mood stabilizers, it's certainly a key contributor to emotional liability that warrants checking out. If your doctor is not listening to your suspicion about hormonal imbalance, get a new doctor!

As I travel and teach and in my office, I always like to cover that pesky little "e" word (emotions) and the link to hormonal imbalance in my presentations. Why? Because so many are on the verge. Ever noticed that some days you laugh and some days you cry... for no particular reason? I've had many women and men throughout the years express concern that they are more emotional and on the verge of tears all the time. In some conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), the roller coaster can really drop to the ground floor of emotions.

I just want to point out some clear connections to hormones that might help you understand how you might find your way off the "E"-roller coaster.

If you are DOWN in ESTROGEN this is how you likely will feel: depressed, mildly anxious, feeling despair at times, and on the verge of crying all the time.

If you are UP in ESTROGEN: agitated, angry, irritable, and short tempered. "Estrogen Dominance" is common particularly in women aged 30-45 (as a general guide). That simply means that a person has too much estrogen compared to progesterone that's circulating in the body.

If you are DOWN in PROGESTERONE: anxiety, over reacting, easily alarmed, stressed, feelings of confusion, mood swings, irritable, nervous, jittery, and depressed.

If you are UP in PROGESTERONE: crying, flat mood, and more unresponsive to significant things that normally should cause some emotion. This sometimes happens with inappropriate dosing of over the counter progesterone formulations or when a patient simply uses too much.

If you are DOWN on TESTOSTERONE: depression, lack of drive and confidence, and demotivation are the "E" warning signs. (This certainly goes for men too)

If you are UP on TESTOSTERONE: agitation, angry, irritable, feeling throttled inside.

As you see, there can be some crossovers in symptoms with the various hormones. This is ABSOLUTELY the reason that you need to be tested to determine what is UP or DOWN. Just like the song... "When you're up, you're up, and when you're down... Okay, I'll stop!

In the "REAL WORLD", coping with the normal things of life are particularly hard as men and women go through the aging process. And this is not just a "menopause thing"!!! There are PLENTY of younger women who take small doses of progesterone in a pattern with their menstrual cycle to help "level them out" because they've noticed that they are very emotionally unstable around their monthly menstrual cycle. That's because of a clear deficiency that can be tested and put back into proper balance to help them maintain better emotional control. And please don't just run out and buy hormone creams over the counter without knowing what is out of balance and without consulting a trained healthcare professional in this area of health and wellness. You could do some real damage.

As you see, hormone balance could be the pathway to exiting off the roller coaster ride of emotions. Testing kits, private consultations, and phone consultations are available by calling a specialist who deals with bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, functional and integrative medicine, and nutraceuticals. I'm excited to share that physicians and healthcare professionals are also coming out in the masses to have their own personal hormone and stress assessments as well. This affects everyone!! It's so great to serve in such a growing area of need in health and wellness. Get tested! Get treated! Get better!

What Can BioIdentical Hormone Replacement (BHRT) Do For Patients?

Bioidentical hormones are natural hormones, not synthetic. They match the molecular structure of the hormones that are produced by one's body exactly and are not made in a lab. When being used for hormone replacement, Bioidentical hormones move through one's bloodstream and attach to their appropriate receptors. Once attached, optimal hormonal equilibrium may be reached safely and effectively.

Along with your bioidentical hormone regimen, it is important not to use it as a crutch. Regular exercise is necessary, the quality and amount of food one intakes is very important, and getting sufficient sleep is crucial. Once getting started on BHRT, one critical thing to remember is - Be Patient! Some patients may start feeling better within a week, and with others who are more hormonally imbalanced it may take a few months to see dramatic improvements.

As one ages, hormone loss occurs and its effects may diminish sex drive, memory, bone density, along with leading to arthritis and high blood pressure. As one begins BHRT, some of the symptoms being experienced may see improvements right away such as insomnia, moodiness, and sex drive problems. But more likely than not all of one's symptoms will not be corrected quickly, so the process is more of a marathon rather than a sprint.

What exactly can one expect when the hormone levels are replaced to the proper balance and ratios? The benefits include better sleep patterns, increased sex drive, more energy, increased vitality and creativity, better moods, less wrinkles, and diminished hot flashes. Blood pressure may decrease and weight loss is often seen. BHRT is a true anti-aging opportunity.

What one wants it to recreate the hormonal levels seen in one's prime. Not to achieve a normal hormonal balance for someone necessarily in one's current age group. If one is 65, achieving normal hormones for a 65 year old is suboptimal - achieving that of a 20 year old is better!

There are two types of bioidentical hormone dosing. The first is termed "static" and refers to patients receiving the same dose each day of the month. Or receiving the same dose on certain days of the month, such as a patient receiving a "static" dose of estradiol every day of the month and then a "static" dose of progesterone for the last 10 days of the month. Blood tests are utilized to determine how well the hormone levels are approaching the optimal levels and dosages are adjusted accordingly.

The second type of BHRT is termed "rhythmic cycling". This is fairly new and subject to research studies comparing it to "static" dosing. It is well known that the human body makes hormones cyclically during the month and not in the same amounts every day. Rhythmic cycling attempts to match this cyclical production and prevent cells from proliferating too much. Which method of BHRT is best has not been definitively proven.

Aches, Pains, Forgetfulness and Fatigue Could Mean a Hormone Imbalance

It is amazing how often I hear family, friends and patients attribute their aches, pains, forgetfulness and fatigue to age. They shuck off losing their keys or waking up stiff to "getting old". Although, the wear and tear of life inevitably slows us down, hormonal imbalances can accelerate by decades the normal natural process of aging.

How and where do hormones work?

Hormones work by sending instructions to cells to build, breakdown and repair. They play a role in reproduction, heart health, digestion, immunity, inflammation, bone health, muscle building, memory preservation, skin health and much more. Every cell in the body is influenced by hormones.

Do our hormones decline with age?

Many hormones decline as we age. This is a natural process and is part of the reason we age. Research is finding declines in hormones are associated with disease, disability and reduced quality of life and that replacement improves overall health.

What hormones are commonly associated accelerated aging?

All of our hormones are important in the aging process. Thyroid, estrogen and testosterone best illustrate how a decline affects our health.

Thyroid

Low Thyroid is an under recognized cause of forgetfulness, depression, fatigue, aches and pains. The thyroid is the accelerator hormone. It sends signals to tissues, organs and cells telling them to work at a faster rate. The body is constantly in a state of damage, depletion, repair and repletion. If thyroid hormone is low, the body works slow. If our body works too slowly, it cannot build, produce and replace needed substances fast enough for sustained health. Consequently, muscles become weak, joints stiffen and memory slows. Thyroid treatment is a large part of my practice. It is common for patients to describe years of difficulty concentrating, poor memory, depression, fatigue, and joint pains. After thyroid proper hormone replacement, symptoms soon disappear.

Estrogen

Menopausal symptoms can begin as early as the late thirties. Imbalances in the sex hormones often progress slowly and symptoms begin to appear subtlety. When estrogen levels begin to fall, forgetfulness aches and pains often appear. Replacing estrogen through natural means to levels that signal repair is a powerful way of alleviating these and many other symptoms of menopause.

Testosterone

Testosterone deficiency in men is associated with muscle loss, fatigue and weakness. A recent study of 2,587 men published in the October 23, 2006 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine found low testosterone levels directly related to increased falls and reduced physical performance.

Menopause, Weight Gain and Hormone Replacement Therapy

With the onset of menopause, there is a possibility of gaining weight due to the changes in the hormone levels. A few symptoms of menopause include vaginal dryness, sleeplessness, dry skin, hot flashes and bladder problems. To be relieved of these symptoms, one can undergo a treatment or a therapy known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

In hormone replacement therapy, estrogen and progesterone are given in either in form of pills, skin patches or vaginal creams. Studies have proven that hormone therapy not only reduces the menopausal symptoms but also the risk of osteoporosis and increases the life span. Hormone Therapy can also be administered on a woman who has undergone hysterectomy. However, only estrogen is prescribed for them. For decades both men and women have used this therapy.

There are basically two types of therapy - estrogen and progestogen-estrogen therapy. In estrogen therapy, a low dose of estrogen is prescribed to prevent or relieve the symptoms of menopause.

While in the progestogen-estrogen therapy, combined doses of estrogen and progesterone is given. Progesterone is given in the synthetic form under the name progestin. This therapy is administered for a couple of weeks every month.

How Can Hormone Replacement Therapy Help Me Lose Weight?

A couple of years before the onset of menopause, the hormone levels reduce and as a result there is an increased craving for sugar or for food rich in sugar. As one nears menopause the body produces less estrogen and the body starts using the estrogen stored in fat cells. At the same time, the level of testosterone declines leading to the reduction of lean muscles. Lean muscles help in burning fat. When there is a decline in the lean muscles fat is accumulated leading to weight gain. This weight gain is due to the hormone imbalances and it is very difficult to shed the weight gained at the time of menopause. Only way to avoid weight gain is through hormone replacement therapy. According to ones body condition with the help of a medical practitioner one can choose one of the hormone therapies.

Cardiovascular risk and weight-gain are frequently observed at the onset of menopause. Studies have been conducted to prove that HRT or the hormone replacement therapy tends to reduce weight gain during postmenopausal.

The studies have come to the conclusion that hormone replacement therapy not only prevents weight-gain but also enhances weight loss due to the significant increase in the lipid oxidation. It has also been revealed that hormone therapy favorably influences the plasma lipids, insulin response and energy expenditure.

Start Visiting the Gynecologist

When is the right time to start visiting the gynecologist?

All women should have a pelvic exam and Pap smear by the age of 18 -- and sooner if they're sexually active. Unfortunately, 50 percent of teenagers have their first pelvic exam after they have become sexually active. Many women would greatly benefit from a discussion of sexuality, safe sex, and contraception before they become intimate. As you can see, it is perfectly reasonable for you to let your mother know that you would like to see a gynecologist. In fact, I'm sure that your mother would be pleased to have you suggest it. A visit to your gynecologist should be part of your regular health maintenance program. It is always best, whenever possible, to establish a rapport with your physician before a problem exists.

During your visit, your gynecologist will ask you specific questions about your medical and sexual history. If these are issues that you do not wish to discuss openly with your mother present, you may ask her to wait in the reception area during the interview. I encourage a policy of honesty between my patients and their mothers, yet the decision is yours. You may both feel best if you are able to discuss these matters openly.

A visit with your gynecologist is a confidential matter; however, many young ladies prefer to have their mothers present during the interview and/or exam. The choice is yours. I think it's always best to have a little time with the doctor alone so that any particular issues may be addressed confidentially. This is also the time to establish yourself as the patient and let your gynecologist know that you want to be able to seek advice when the need arises.

Remember, gynecologists have chosen a specialty that involves establishing long-standing relationships with their patients. Now is the perfect time to start that relationship!

Will getting a flu shot affect my pregnancy?

Medications or procedures that pose a risk to the fetus should be avoided during pregnancy. The benefits of immunization during pregnancy must outweigh the potential risks. In determining the appropriateness of vaccination during pregnancy, the risk of the disease to both the pregnant woman and her fetus must be weighed against the risk of the vaccine to both the pregnant woman and her fetus. Previously, the influenza vaccine was recommended only for those pregnant women with serious underlying diseases. The recommendations have now changed to include a much broader group of women.

Pregnant women who contract the flu during an epidemic of a new antigenic strain have a greater risk of death from the disease. Additionally, pregnancy increases the risk of serious medical complications from the flu. In fact, women at the end of their pregnancy have nearly five times the risk of hospitalization for flu complications. Flu infection in the fetus may increase the miscarriage rate, but no birth defects have been documented. The flu vaccine is an inactivated virus vaccine that is considered safe for all pregnant women with no confirmed risks to the fetus.

Because influenza poses the greatest risk to pregnant women in their second and third trimesters, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that women who will be more than 13 weeks pregnant during the flu season receive the vaccine. Pregnant women who have medical conditions that increase their risk of complications from the flu should be vaccinated before the flu season, regardless of their gestational age. This includes women with chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic diseases, such as asthma or diabetes.

While the vaccine is generally safe at any gestational age, vaccination during the first trimester should generally be avoided. This is because of concern about the coincidental association of the vaccine with early miscarriage.

What's the best way to deal with rude responses to pregnancy?

You have been blessed with a happy marriage and wonderful family. Congratulations to you and yours!

I understand your situation. It has become more and more common for friends, family, and even total strangers to comment on one's pregnancy. And unfortunately, the comments that are shared are not necessarily in anyone's best interest.

I've had patients relate the most atrocious stories. One woman was greeted in the elevator with, "I'm glad to finally see that you are pregnant -- your breasts have gotten so enormous, I was worried." And another favorite is one of my own. I was leaving the playground with my two boys, then 1 and 2 years old, and visibly 40 weeks pregnant with my third son, when two women stopped me. "Be sure to talk to your doctor about birth control after you have this one," one of them remarked. I smiled and said, "Thank you. You know what's even harder to believe is that I'm an obstetrician!" It's great to have a quick comeback!

Family size is a personal matter. In this day and age, it is often one of choice, and we all make choices. Some choose to limit the size of their families for personal or economic reasons. Others choose not to limit the number of children they have because of personal or religious reasons. Some feel complete with two children, while others long for many more. And still others may become surprised when their chosen method of contraception fails.

Unfortunately, people are curious and want to know -- was it a mistake, was it an accident, was it a surprise? You don't have to answer these questions.

Ovarian Cancer (Ab Ovo)

Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer in women after lung, breast, colorectal and pancreatic cancers. It accounts for only three percent of cancer in women, and fortunately there has been a decline in incidence of this type of cancer by about 1% over the last twenty years. Unfortunately, diagnosis is usually late as there are very subtle and often protean symptoms and signs. Ovarian cancer is not just a cancer of old age, it can occur at any age, even infancy, however, the incidence of this cancer does rise significantly after the age of 50.

There are certain risk factors for ovarian cancer, chief amongst them is family history and some associated genetic syndromes. A blood relative with ovarian cancer raises the risk for their female relative by 5% for this cancer. There is a syndrome of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer which occurs in one out of every 500 women and being an autosomal dominant genetic disorder results in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 gene mutation. The other is Lynch II syndrome a hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome, again autosomal dominant, which increases risk for ovarian cancer by 12%. However, the majority of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have no family history and the etiology remains unknown. When ovarian cancer occurs and is not detected early when localized to one ovary, the cancer will usually spread to the unaffected ovary and uterus first, but can spread to the liver, lungs, adrenal glands, spleen and other intraperitoneal organs.

Some things that reduce risk are the protective effects of oral contraceptives, late menarche, early menopause, multipariety (having more than one child) and breastfeeding. Progesterone appears to be protective, but there is controversy as a 2009 Danish study suggests that all HRT results in increased risk (the study was performed with estrogen alone (unopposed) or estrogen & progestin (progestin is a synthetic progesterone compound). Further study in the use of natural bio-identical hormones for prevention will need to be performed to clear up this controversy as earlier studies showed HRT to be protective. There are modifiable factors such as reducing weight (avoiding obesity), smoke cessation, reducing a high starch and fat diet that can reduce risk of this cancer. It has been shown that a well balanced diet high in carotene, vitamin C and E and unsaturated fats with moderate physical activity all help reduce ovarian cancer risk.

There is much difficulty in making an early diagnosis due to the fact that signs and symptoms are very often subtle and non specific, and unless you go looking for this disease with specific diagnostic lab and radiology tests you are not likely to find it early on. Some symptoms include abdominal pain and fullness, back pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, pelvic pain and urinary symptoms. Laboratory testing should be considered in women over 40-years of age if these symptoms persist as they are a higher risk population for ovarian cancer. Testing usually involves a CBC, metabolic panel and serum CA 125 levels. CA 125 is a cancer marker that is rather sensitive and specific for ovarian cancer, however there are some other conditions that can elevate this marker such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, ovarian cysts and pregnancy. CA 125 is a good test but not perfect since it is elevated in 90% of patients with advanced disease, but only upwards of 50% with stage I tumors. Additionally, there are other markers that make themselves useful, and they include the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (Beta-HCG), serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Diagnosis is also made by diagnostic imaging, such as the Doppler transvaginal ultrasound (ultrasonography or US), often used as an initial evaluation for a pelvic mass. US is helpful in determining benign ovarian lesions such as simple cysts from those that appear more malignant such as complex solid tumors. Other modes of radiological imaging useful to the diagnostician are CT scan and gadolinium-enhanced MRI.

Treatment usually includes (after thorough diagnostic testing and staging) excision of the mass/tumor by surgery. Depending on the stage of the disease other organs may also be removed, for example the appendix is generally removed due to its potential target for metastasis. Following removal of the tumor, chemotherapy is typically initiated with a combination of platinum and taxane-based agents. Carboplatin and Taxol are two chemotherapeutic agents that are often used. For those women beyond their reproductive years, a total hysterectomy is often considered, while radiation therapy is reserved for palliative and persistent disease that reappears after a regiment of chemotherapy.

Prognosis is a bit complicated as it is based on the staging of the disease as well as the histological grade (type of tumor etiology) that typically plays a role in recurrence rates. For example, an epithelial ovarian cancer (histologically) has a low malignant potential if diagnosed at stage I and has a 95 - 99% survival rate at 10-years.

Screening for ovarian cancer should include annual physical examination and directed exams by markers and imaging only when warranted. Routine screening with CA 125 yield too many false positives and misses too many tumors early on to be a good general screening test. BRCA analysis should be reserved for descendents of those with mutated BRCA1 & BRCA2 genes, it is not recommended as a general screening tool. The current recommendations for women meeting criteria for high risk or very high risk for ovarian cancer is to be screened with a transvaginal ultrasound and have a CA 125 measured every six months during days 1 through 10 of their menstrual cycle beginning at age 35.

The take home message here is that women need to be diligent with regard to their annual physical examinations and to not ignore persistent symptoms that may point a finger to an underlying more serious condition.

References:

Roett, M. Evans, P., "Ovarian Cancer: An Overview", American Family Physician, Vol. 80, Num 6, September 15, 2009, p.609-616.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10933270 (Accessed 10/8/2009)

www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=103822 (Accessed 10/8/2009)

(c) 2009