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Natural Yeast Infection Cures

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Category : Yeast Infections

A yeast infection treatment is only really successful if it completely eliminates the candida overgrowth and not just superficially masks it by bringing temporarily relief. This article will feature some of the methods of a holistic approach for a fast yeast infection treatment. Yeast Infections affect both women and men and can be a painful and dangerous chronic condition if left untreated.

Get out for walk! Candida thrives in moist places where there is a lack of oxygen. Make your body an unlikely host for candida overgrowth by getting a good supply of oxygen into the bloodstream. Walking is an excellent way to keep candida at bay!

Garlic is the natural cure for treating the infection as it has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Garlic glove can be placed in the vagina and this should be repeated every few hours for three days. For those who are not comfortable with garlic glove can go for garlic tablets. It is important to note that initial application of garlic in the vagina causes little burn or irritation when the garlic clove is cracked. We suggest only using whole garlic cloves PLUS wrapping them up in a thin layer of suitable cloth.

Be sure to utilise Yogurt as well, particularly since it is one of the best yeast infection treatment methods available that will abolish yeast once and for all. If you didn’t know, yogurt naturally eliminates bacteria that cause skin infections. To cure yourself, you’re able to either consume the yogurt and/or rub it topically on the problem areas.

Ask your physician for advice. This should probably be the first thing you must do if you are looking for a candidiasis treatment. Your physician will be able to point you to the right direction and can recommend effective natural yeast infection cures that you can use so you stay safe.

Vinegar Can also be used to treat yeast infections right from the comfort of your home with significant ease. All you need to do is to fill a bath, and mix it together with a cup of vinegar. You may stay in the bath for as long as 24 hours if you can but you only need to stay in it for 20 minutes per day and then ensure you dry up your vagina area. This will go a long way in helping you to get rid of yeast infections right from the comfort of your home.

Nylons are made of synthetic materials that trap moisture. This goes against our goal of keeping the area dry. If you must wear nylons, wear those with a cotton inner liner. Or better yet, where thigh highs.

Feminine Odor Control

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Category : Womens Issues

One thing that can surely destroy a woman’s sense of feeling desirable and sensual, is to have feminine odor. Since this malady plagues so many women, let’s look at some methods of feminine odor control.

If feminine odor already exists, the first thing you want to do is have a gynecological exam to rule out any vaginal infection, as vaginal infections definitely cause odor. If the result of your exam is positive for infection you will be given medicine to kill the unfriendly bacteria or yeast causing it; however, caution must be taken so that the infection does not reoccur. The methods used to prevent re-infection are, for the most part, the same for preventing feminine odor, so let’s look at these now.

Hygiene:

The most obvious feminine odor control method is to have proper hygiene. If need be, wash more than once a day but do not use harsh soap. Unscented natural soaps are the best, and certainly never use antibacterial soaps as they are too chemically laden and can very easily irritate the sensitive tissue around and in the vagina.

Soap also disrupts the vaginal pH. When this occurs the healthy vaginal flora cannot survive and hence disruptive organisms take over and cause infection and odor.

Natural Clothing:

Cotton and wool are not only natural fabrics, but they breathe, which means they allow airflow. Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester do not breathe, and consequentially hold in moisture; and constant moisture breeds bacteria and yeast.

Now, just as when you perspire under your arms and you get an underarm odor, the same happens when you wear nylon panties or pantyhose, or polyester slacks — the vaginal area perspires; it can’t get air because of the suffocating material around it; and it begins to smell. Therefore, always wear cotton panties and try not to wear synthetic fabrics such as pantyhose or polyester slacks.

Air It Out:

There was a time in our history when women didn’t wear panties at all. I know going without panties might be a shock to some ladies, but unless you feel it is necessary, at least don’t wear panties to bed; let it air out.

Also consider thigh-high nylons instead of pantyhose.

Ditch the Douche:

Many women douche for the simple reason that they want to feel clean, especially after their period or after intercourse. Some women also douche if they notice a discharge, though some discharge is normal.

The trouble with douching, however, is that it can cause the very feminine odor that women are trying to eliminate. Douching is actually counter-productive and is certainly not a feminine odor control method.

When using a commercial douche, the chemicals in the product badly disrupt the vaginal pH. Friendly vaginal flora die because of this and then harmful bacteria take over, which again causes feminine odor.

Another issue with douching is that the force of the douching fluid can push existing bad bacteria up through the cervix, causing pelvic inflammatory disease; and pelvic inflammatory disease also emits odor.

In summation, the best means of feminine odor control is to wash regularly with a gentle, unscented soap; wear cotton panties and avoid synthetic fabrics in that area; sleep without panties and allow the vagina to air out; and do not use commercial douches.

Endometriosis and Infertility

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Category : Womens Issues

Endometriosis is a condition in which cells from tissue inside the uterus (womb) grow in places outside the uterus. These cells settle on or in the fallopian tubes or ovaries, and sometimes on or in other organs in the pelvic area, including the abdomen and bladder. The cells clump up, become inflamed and eventually develop into adhesions (scars), which cause pain. In some cases, the condition leads to infertility, known as endometriosis infertility.

The cause of endometriosis is not yet known. Some women may be born with this abnormality. Some women may be born with a tendency to get endometriosis during their reproductive years. Medical researchers have suggested that during menstruation, menstrual fluid backs up through the fallopian tubes into the abdomen where cells from the fluid become embedded and begin to grow. There are a number of other theories for its prevalence.

Studies have shown that between 5% and 10% of all women have endometriosis, but most of these women are fertile. Some 30% to 40% of women with endometriosis are infertile. In most cases, endometriosis infertility is temporary. Women with endometriosis do have children. They just have more difficulty getting pregnant than other women have.

In most cases, it’s difficult to pinpoint why a woman with endometriosis has trouble getting pregnant. Some researchers think that infertility and delayed pregnancy might make a woman susceptible to developing endometriosis, rather than endometriosis causing infertility. Some researchers believe there are multiple causes of endometriosis infertility and that each woman who suffers this disorder has her own set of contributing factors.

Studies have shown that the likelihood of a woman suffering endometriosis infertility is directly related to the severity of her condition. Most cases of endometriosis are mild, with little or no pain. Nevertheless, woman with mild endometriosis take longer to get pregnant than women in general do. Women with moderate to severe endometriosis have even more difficulty getting pregnant than women with mild endometriosis have.

If severe enough, endometriosis can damage one or more of the woman’s reproductive organs. As the condition worsens, the adhesions formed from the clumps of cells grow thicker and larger in or around the reproductive organs. In general, adhesions that stick to or push against a reproductive organ deform the structure of that organ and impact its normal function. This contact, medical researchers believe, contributes to endometriosis infertility.

For example, adhesions in the fallopian tubes can nudge the tubes out of their normal position, thus preventing the egg from the ovary from entering the tube. Or the adhesions might block the inside of the tubes, keeping the egg from traveling to the womb. Thick adhesions on or in the ovaries can form painful cysts and sometimes prevent the egg from escaping. They can also reduce the number of eggs in the ovaries and damage remaining eggs. And inflammation in the pelvis caused by adhesions can trigger the production of certain cells that attack and shorten the life spam of the sperm.

Common treatments for endometriosis infertility include drugs to control pain and to stop the endometriosis from getting worse and surgery to remove the adhesions. But surgery often creates its own adhesions. The Wurn technique, a hands-on procedure used by physical therapists, has proven effective in breaking down and eliminating adhesions and, in many cases, restoring fertility without drugs or surgery.

Women’s Health News: November, 4

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Category : News

Women smokers face tougher odds than men after a heart attack

Women who smoke have heart attacks at younger ages and are more likely than men to suffer complications months after a cardiac event, according to a new University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study.

Elizabeth Jackson, M.D., M.P.H., cardiologist at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center

Although fewer women than men smoke in the United States, the gender gap is decreasing and the U-M findings suggest the toll of smoking is greater on women’s health.

“Smoking is not good for men or women but our analysis shows that women who smoke do worse six months after a heart attack than men,” says senior study author Elizabeth Jackson, M.D., M.P.H., cardiologist at the U-M Cardiovascular Center. “We were not able to look at the basic biological mechanisms that would account for this, but other studies can give us some ideas.

“The ideologies of acute coronary syndrome may be different and the atherosclerotic burden greater for women,” Jackson says.

Smoking reduces circulation by narrowing the blood vessels and contributes to an atherosclerotic build-up of plaque in the arteries. Cigarette smokers are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than non-smokers.

Jackson, a member of the U-M Women’s Heart Program team, and lead author Michael Howe, M.D., a cardiology fellow at the U-M Health System, conducted a study to examine smoking status of patients during and six months after an acute coronary syndrome event, such as a heart attack.

They used the U-M Health System’s acute coronary event registry which has data on 3,588 patients admitted to the U-M Medical Center from Jan. 1, 1999 to Dec. 31, 2006 with a diagnosis of ACS.

A reported 24 percent of patients were actively smoking. Male smokers were nine years younger than non-smoking men when admitted for their cardiac event. Women smokers were 13 years younger than non-smoking women when admitted.

Among smokers, gender was a significant factor for risk of complications after a heart attack. Six months after their cardiac event, 13.5 percent of female smokers needed emergency treatment to restore blood flow compared to 4.4 percent of male smokers who needed an unscheduled revascularization.

“The differences in outcomes among women smokers may reflect inherent biological differences between genders, or possibly less aggressive medical management of women that’s been described by other investigators,” Howe says. “Either way, it clearly emphasizes the need for increased physician awareness and vigilance, in women in particular, after an acute coronary event.”

The good news is that by quitting smoking, the risk of heart disease and stroke can be cut in half just one year later and continues to decline until it’s as low as a nonsmoker’s risk, according to the American Heart Association.

The gender differences study was published online ahead of print in the American Journal of Cardiology.

A Focus on Prevention, Early Detection During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Washington, DC — Breast cancer consistently tops the list of health concerns for many women and fear of developing the disease can be a tremendous source of anxiety. Fortunately, preventive measures can reduce a woman’s risk of breast cancer and early detection can improve her chances of survival. During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College) urges women to move beyond fear and into action by reducing personal breast cancer risk factors, having regular mammograms, and tuning in to breast changes that warrant further assessment.

Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among women after lung cancer. In 2011, it is estimated that more than 230,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 39,000 women will die from it. While these figures are alarming, there is much good news.

“There’s still a lot more to be done in the fight against breast cancer, but we have come a long way,” said James N. Martin, Jr, MD, president of The College. “Advances in early detection and improved treatments have led to a steady decrease in breast cancer-related deaths since the 1990s. The 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the US serve as proof that more women are beating breast cancer than ever before. Women diagnosed with breast cancer also have a wider variety of breast-conserving treatments and reconstruction options to consider. And an increasing body of research suggests that women can make a difference in preventing or detecting cancer early.”

Being a woman and getting older are the two main, non-modifiable risk factors for breast cancer. Family history, personal history of certain cancers, no pregnancies or first pregnancy later in life, beginning menstrual periods before age 12 or menopause after age 55, obesity, heavy alcohol intake (defined as more than seven drinks per week), and use of some types of hormone therapy can also increase a woman’s risk. A woman’s individual risk factors can help guide her efforts in preventing cancer.

“There’s a reason why so many doctors preach the gospel of living a healthy lifestyle. In addition to lowering the risk of breast cancer, it can have a significant impact on a woman’s risk for many cancers and other illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease,” Dr. Martin said. The American Institute for Cancer Research estimates that almost 40 percent of the breast cancer cases in the US—about 70,000 cases a year—could be prevented if women maintained a healthy weight, exercised, and limited the amount of alcohol they drink. Getting 30-90 minutes of exercise on most days, consuming a well-balanced diet, and drinking less than one alcoholic drink per day is a great start for most women.

Women should also take family history into account. Roughly 20 percent of women with breast cancer have close relatives such as siblings, parents, or grandparents who have also had the disease. Women with a strong family history should talk to their doctor about interventions such as beginning mammography before age 40 and prophylactic medication therapy or surgery to reduce their risk.

In some instances, women who’ve done everything that they can to avoid breast cancer still develop the disease. This is why regular mammography screening is so critical. “We know that mammograms are central to early detection in all women, regardless of risk factors,” Dr. Martin said. Mammograms can detect changes in the breast as small as a pinhead, often one to two years earlier than when a lump can be felt and before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The five-year survival rate for cancer caught at this stage is 98 percent, a compelling reason to get screened. The College recommends that women 40 and older be offered annual mammograms. Clinical breast exams performed by a physician are also recommended yearly for women 40 and over and every one to three years among women ages 20-39.

Nearly one half of all cases of breast cancer in women 50 years and older and more than 70% of cases in women younger than 50 years are discovered by women themselves, frequently unintentionally. Instead of traditional breast self-exams, The College now recommends that women develop breast self-awareness, meaning that they become more familiar with what’s normal for their breasts and better able to detect changes. Women who experience changes such as lumps in the breast or underarm, dimpling, breast pain, redness or thickening of the nipple or breast skin, or anything else that looks or feels different should quickly report them to their doctor.

“Awareness of and commitment to doing what’s best for your body can make a big difference in your health,” Dr. Martin said. “Do what you can to reduce your risk, because your actions do make a difference.”

To learn more about taking control of your breast health, The College’s “Spotlight on Breast Cancer” is available online.

NHS told to improve care of pregnant women carrying twins or triplets

The NHS has been told to improve its care of pregnant women carrying twins or triplets in order to reduce the significant medical risks involved for both mothers-to-be and their babies.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which sets standards for the NHS, has issued its first guidance on how health professionals should manage multiple births after discovering wide variations in the quality of care provided by different parts of the NHS.

Improvements and new procedures are needed in order to give women who conceive twins or triplets better and more consistent care, minimise the number of unnecessary caesarean deliveries among them and reduce the number of twins and triplets who require specialist care at birth.

About 11,000 women a year in England and Wales give birth to twins, triplets or, more rarely, four babies or more simultaneously. Multiple births account for 3% of the 700,000 live births a year.

The number of women giving birth to two or more babies at the same time rose from 10 per 1,000 in 1980 to 16 per 1,000 in 2009, mainly due to the increased use of assisted reproduction, especially IVF.

Mothers with a multiple pregnancy need specialist care in order to safeguard against the many problems and complications that can affect the mother or babies.

While many women carrying twins or triplets will experience a straightforward pregnancy, such patients are known to be at much greater risk of miscarriage, anaemia, hypertension, vaginal bleeding, premature birth and needing an assisted delivery or caesarean.

For example, while 4.8 per 1,000 of every pregnancy involving a single child end in stillbirth, 11.2 per 1,000 of those involving twins end in stillbirth, as do 27.9 per 1,000 of those involving triplets.

Babies of multiple births, meanwhile, are similarly at higher risk of poor outcomes including being born prematurely, having a low birthweight, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit, congenital malformations, cerebral palsy and impaired physical and cognitive development.

In its guidance released on Wednesday, Nice recommends that all women having an uncomplicated twin or triplet pregnancy should be cared for by a multidisciplinary team of medical experts who are experienced in such pregnancies, including obstetricians, midwives and ultrasonographers as well as a mental health professional, infant feeding specialist, dietitian and women’s health physiotherapist.

They should also undergo a risk assessment before the birth to establish whether the babies are identical siblings, where they come from the same egg and share one placenta, or have a placenta each, and undergo careful management from then on.

Identical siblings in utero involve a much higher risk of stillbirth, foetal complications and a condition called twin to twin transfusion syndrome.

Woman carrying multiple foetuses should also be given ultrasound scans in the first three months, more antenatal visits and monitoring of their babies for signs of intrauterine growth restriction after they are 20 weeks’ pregnant.

“We know there is a real clinical need for this guideline because NHS antenatal care for women expecting twins or triplets appears to vary considerably across England and Wales”, said Dr Fergus Macbeth, the director of Nice’s centre for clinical practice.

“For example, not all women with multiple pregnancies are cared for in dedicated settings such as ‘twin clinics’ or by multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals. This can lead to higher than necessary rates of assisted birth and caesarean sections and also means that women are not appropriately assessed for possible risks during pregnancy.”

Macbeth added: “Although many women will have a normal pregnancy and birth, it is well known that there are higher risks involved for these types of pregnancy and so it is important to get it right. We hope this guideline will set the standard of high-quality care, which should be provided to all women pregnant with twins or triplets.

“Implementing these clear recommendations will help women to feel supported and well looked after at a time when they can be feeling anxious.”

Keith Reed, chief executive of the charity Twins and Multiple Births Association (Tamba), said: “Sadly the care some expectant multiple birth mothers currently receive does not meet their needs. These important guidelines are a landmark in the antenatal care of multiples.

“They will undoubtedly produce better clinical outcomes as well as reducing anxiety for those women who have been told their pregnancies are ‘high risk’.”

Jane Denton, director of the Multiple Births Foundation, said the new standards would “transform” care.

“The news of a twin or triplet pregnancy is often a great shock for parents and the risk of complications during the pregnancy and preterm birth, as well as the practical and financial implications for the family, can cause great anxiety.

“Although much of the care at present is very good, there are many inconsistencies … these recommendations address all of these concerns and will give mothers confidence that they are receiving the highest standard of care.

Does Massaging Your Breasts Cause Them To Grow?

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Category : Womens Issues

If you are wondering how to increase breast size you could be wondering if it is possible for you to massage your breasts to make them bigger. Natural breast augmentation is something that many women have allowed to slip through their fingers. The main reason that this has happened is because surgical options seem to offer results so much quicker. In this article we are going to talk more about breast massage. We will talk about how this technique can help you grow your breasts.

Breast massage has become pretty popular these days for many different reasons. Getting your breasts massaged or massaging your own breasts is very relaxing. Besides for that it helps to release the toxins in your breasts. Whenever you massage something else happens besides for these things however.

Many times the blood flow in the breasts is not flowing correctly. As you massage your breasts the blood flow will pick up. This will allow all of the vital nutrients to get to your breasts and help them grow healthier and be more attractive. Whenever you massage your breasts you will be promoting the production of the breast growing prolactin too.

This technique has been used by women for many years but sadly it has not been as popular and well known as it should be because of all of the publicity that plastic surgeons and other individuals that work in the cosmetic industry have given to other methods that are not natural and are much more expensive.

Whenever you use massage to make your breasts bigger you will be able to naturally grow breasts that are all your own instead of having to have foreign substances in your body. You will be able to keep yourself healthier and you also will be able to make your breasts bigger without looking fake.

Massaging your breasts can be done in a few different ways. The only “wrong” way that you can do this is by massaging too hard and actually damaging your breast tissue. Breasts are very tender and you need to make sure that you treat them with care.

The best way to do the massage is when you are lying on your back. Make sure that you are in a comfortable place where you can relax. Then you should put one arm over your head and allow the other hand to massage your breasts. Do this in small circular motions. You want to be deliberate but you do not want to hurt yourself.

You can do this about fifteen to thirty minutes per day. This will not cause you to see a very large increase but you will notice that things are different. If you want more serious results there are other natural methods that will allow you to get results quicker. This is a great way to start out however. Make sure that you remember to be gentle whenever you massage your breasts or you could do more harm than good.

Exploring Home Remedies For Bacterial Vaginosis

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Category : Womens Issues

If you have struggled with bacterial vaginosis, you may have found that antibiotic treatments aren’t very effective. Not only that, but they can create unwanted side effects and complications. So, you may have decided that finding a home cure for bacterial vaginosis is a better idea.

Luckily, there are no shortage of cures and treatments for BV that you can try right in your own home. However, it’s important to understand what it is that you want to accomplish. If you don’t know how BV works, you can’t expect to have any luck with treating it naturally at home.

Your Vagina’s pH Balance:

As a general rule, your vagina should have a slightly acidic pH balance and it should be full of healthy bacteria, such as lactobacillus. Lactobacillus create hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid, which help to protect your vagina from infections. When that balance is upset and your vagina becomes less acidic, bad bacteria can invade, take root and begin to grow and multiply.

The thing that makes antibiotics particularly bad in terms of treating that is the fact that they will kill all bacteria that are present, including the lactobacillus. So, it’s much better to find ways to fend off BV without destroying all of your vagina’s natural defenses.

Two douching options:

One home cure is to simply use a hydrogen peroxide douche. The hydrogen peroxide will keep bad bacteria from attaching to your vaginal walls. Therefore, they may get in, but they aren’t likely to take up residence permanently.
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They other douching option that is quite popular is to raise the acidity of your vagina just a bit with an apple cider vinegar douche. The raised acidity level will swing the pH balance in such a way that bad bacteria cannot survive in your vagina.

Applying Yogurt:

Another popular home cure for BV is applying yogurt directly to the inside of your vagina. That can be done with a sterilized spoon, another form of applicator or a tampon. However, the process can be a little messy. So, you should be prepared to stay home and stay relatively still for about an hour while you allow the yogurt to soak in.

Supplements:
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An even easier way to treat BV is to take a supplement that contains the right mix of vitamins, herbs and minerals to treat BV and all of its symptoms. Some of those symptoms include inflammation, itchiness, cramps, bloating and bleeding. Here are some of the best components to look for in a BV supplement pill:
Folic Acid
B Vitamins
Calcium
Wild Yam
Black Cohosh
White Willow Bark
Vitamin E
Magnesium

There are also several other vitamins, minerals and herbs that can help you to keep BV at bay.

Be Careful Of What You Eat:

Finally, a great home cure for bacterial vaginosis is to simply be careful of what you eat. Bad bacteria tend to like to feed on sugar, for example. On the other hand, eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins will give your entire body, including the good bacteria in your vagina, more energy and more of a chance to fight off infections. So, carefully consider that the next time you sit down to have a meal or snack.

Thermography Is Not a Replacement for Mammography

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Category : Womens Issues

Many have struggled with this subject and it appears to be very common to hear the same questions over and over again: “Is thermography better than mammography?”, “Does it replace mammography?”, “If I have a thermogram do I need a mammogram?” First, let’s look at the difference between the two imaging procedures. Thermography measures heat with the use of infrared imaging. Yes, it is safe, there is no radiation and there is no contact or compression. Mammography is an x-ray and provides us with structural imaging or internal anatomy while thermography measures heat emissions and provides information regarding biological activity of the breast tissue. Infrared imaging (thermography) is a functional test, while mammography is a structural test. As a functional test, thermography is great at detecting abnormalities that other screening methods cannot see; these would include vascular activity and changes. While increased vascular activity identified by thermography may be an indication of breast cancer it could also be caused by fibrocystic findings, infection (mastitis or breast abscess), injury or trauma and even hormonal influence. Further, since functional changes precede structural changes thermography can provide us with valuable information in the early indication of breast disease and even cancer. Having the early warning signs enables doctors to monitor women more closely and put preventive measures in place to help reduce certain risk factors. Now, the limitations of thermography. Thermography cannot and does not diagnose breast cancer. However, other structural examinations also have their limitations and it is only by performing a biopsy that a final diagnosis can be rendered. Thermography does not provide information on the exact anatomic position or define a specific area that needs to be biopsied. It has to be combined with other structural examinations, i.e. mammography, ultrasound or MRI. As a functional test thermography serves as a risk marker that complements rather than replaces mammography.

THERMOGRAPHY BENEFITS FOR YOUNG WOMEN

Younger women as a group account for 18% of diagnosed breast cancers. Breast cancer in younger women is usually more aggressive and more likely to metastasize. Thermography is an effective and safe breast assessment for young women.

FIBROCYSTIC FINDINGS

Women with fibrocystic breasts with high density breast tissue are harder to screen for breast cancer. Early cancers can mask as fibrocystic findings and are more difficult to identify with conventional screening procedures like mammography. Approximately 40% of women with fibrocystic findings and a persistent high risk thermography rating develop breast cancer within 5 years. However the same group with low risk thermography rating has less than 3% likelihood of developing breast cancer.

BREAST CANCER HRT AND BHRT

The result of Women’s Health Initiative in 2002 clearly showed the associated higher incidence of breast cancer with synthetic HRT. However, in my experience even women that are on a bio-identical (BHRT) hormone replacement have on occasion shown developing higher risk for breast cancer when monitored with thermography. Thermography can help monitor the effects of hormone treatment to see the effectiveness or early warning signs of something that becomes problematic over time. In conclusion, thermography is not a competitor or a replacement for mammography. A low risk thermography rating does not mean that cancer is not present; it simply suggests that there is a statistically low probability. Yet, there are always exceptions. Same is true when a high risk rating is established, this does not indicate the presence of cancer – it only suggests a higher level of risk and will require additional examination and closer monitoring. The most important point is that when combined with other structural or anatomical tests thermography may contribute to the best evaluation of breast health.

Women and Hair Loss

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Category : Womens Issues

While supermodel Alec Wek may have made a whole high-fashion career out of her unique look, long legs and bald head, and Samantha Jones on Sex and the City, pulled off her wig in a statement of women’s solidarity, after being treated with chemotherapy, most women cannot pull off that ‘Mr. Clean’ look and do not want to.

A clean shaven head may be sexy on a man – think Michael Jordan or the original bald celebrity – Yul Brynner. But, a bald woman? Mrs. Clean? Think again.

Hair loss in women is a not uncommon problem, affecting approximately 20% of the population, and one that is not as much discussed as hair loss in men.

Women lose hair for various reasons including: heredity, hypothyroidism, hormone fluctuations, illness, or like Samantha Jones, chemotherapy. Women’s hair loss occurs all-over the scalp and may not be as obvious as hair loss in men.

How do you know if you’re experiencing hair loss?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people lose anywhere from 50 – 100 strands of hair each day. When is it extreme and a cause for concern?

One way to tell is if there is there an unusually large amount of hair on your pillow when you wake up in the morning. Or, excessive hair in your brush when you brush your hair. Has your scalp become more visible through your hair? Does your part appear to be wider than before?

These are all visual cues that you may be losing your hair in excess.

According to the International Society Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), losing hair for women may be more psychologically damaging than for a man.

“Women, more than men, have a significant psychological investment in their appearance, and are likely to react more negatively to events such as hair loss….”

Nigel Hunt and Sue McHale writing in the 2005 British Medical Journal observed, “Femininity, sexuality, attractiveness, and personality are symbolically linked to a woman’s hair, more so than for a man. Hair loss can therefore seriously affect self- esteem and body image. “
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After all, a woman’s hair is her crowning glory.

If you are concerned about excessive hair loss, it may be time to consult a dermatologist and undergo testing to determine whether you have an underlying medical condition.

If so, you need to be treated. Understand your treatment options and choose the best protocol for your condition.

Realize that often hair loss is a temporary condition and will grow back, once the fundamental medical condition has been treated.

If no underlying medical condition is found, a woman may want to explore both options for surgical remedies such as a hair transplant and non-surgical remedies such as wigs, hair weaves, extensions or hair pieces.

Minoxidil can be used as part of a plan of action to prevent additional hair loss. Unlike Propecia, it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in women.

If surgery is chosen, according to the ISHRS, the combination of surgical hair restoration and medical treatments provides the most satisfying result.

Discuss and create a plan with your physician for long-term cosmetic enhancement. Ask, what are the realistic expectations for both short-term and long-term outcomes of hair transplantation?

Be cognizant of the fact that if you are experiencing progressive hair loss, one procedure may not be the be-all-and-end-all.

If you have a family history of hair loss, this may indicate what is to come and should be taken into consideration when considering a hair transplant or other surgical options.

Women’s Health News: September, 23

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Category : News

Why Many With Breast Implants Fail at Breast-Feeding

Women with breast implants who think breast-feeding will change how their breasts look are less likely to nurse their babies successfully, according to a new study.

Researchers from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) pointed out that the number of pregnancies a woman has — not whether she breast-feeds — is what causes breasts to sag over time.

“If a woman believes that breast-feeding will adversely affect her breast appearance, she decreases her chances of successful breast-feeding,” study author Dr. Norma Cruz, said in an ASPS news release. “This misconception is unfortunate. Reassuring women that breast-feeding won’t harm their breast appearance, and that it has significant health advantages for both mother and baby, is vitally important.”

Researchers studied the breast-feeding habits of 160 mothers with breast implants. They found that 86 percent of the 97 mothers who failed at breast-feeding thought that it would make their breasts look worse. The researchers noted that this misconception had a direct impact on their success.

On the other hand, of the 63 women studied who exclusively breast-fed their babies for two weeks or more, only 13 percent believed it would harm how their breasts looked.

“It makes sense that breast augmentation patients would be concerned about the effect breast-feeding could have on the appearance of their breasts. After all, these women have invested both time and money into them,” said Cruz, an ASPS member surgeon. “However, available evidence tells us that although breasts sag more with each pregnancy, breast-feeding doesn’t seem to worsen these effects in women with or without breast implants.”

The findings are troubling, the researchers noted, because the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health reports that not only does breast-feeding help strengthen the mother-child bond, it is linked to a number of health benefits for women, including lower risk of type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and post-partum depression. The agency adds that breast milk also helps children build their immune systems and fight diseases.

“Now that we know breast augmentation patients’ views on how breast-feeding will impact the look of their breasts, patient education becomes critical to improving perceptions and strengthening the health and lives of both mother and child,” concluded Cruz.

The study was slated to be presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ annual conference in Denver. The data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

GOP Presidential Hopeful Rick Perry’s Record On Women’s Health Scrutinized

As the GOP presidential primary campaign continues to heat up, news outlets focus on Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s state policy record: An NPR report today examines his funding for women’s health. Meanwhile, Michele Bachmann offers her take on employer-sponsored health insurance.

NPR: Gov. Perry Cut Funds For Women In Texas
Only 48 percent of Texans have private health insurance and more than a quarter of the state’s population has no insurance at all, more than any other state. To fill this gap, the state’s hospital emergency rooms and dozens of women’s health clinics have stepped in to serve the uninsured across Texas. To understand the health care landscape in Texas it helps to start with context, and perhaps nobody is better suited to explain it than Tom Banning. He is the CEO of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, a group of about 6,000 doctors and whose members reach into every part of the state (Goodwyn, 9/20).

CBS: Michele Bachmann Says Tax Breaks Should Replace Employer Health Plans
Back in her hometown Monday, Republican presidential contender Michele Bachmann waxed nostalgic for an era when people were responsible for purchasing their own insurance, rather than being tethered to an employer for coverage. “When I grew up here in Iowa, we owned our own health insurance. We didn’t necessarily have it from our employer,” she said. Asked in a round-table with workers at OMJC Signal, a family-owned public-safety equipment manufacturer, how small businesses can afford health care for their employees, the Minnesota congresswoman said they shouldn’t have to buy it. “I think you should be able to own your plan, so your employer doesn’t own it — you get to own it, and you buy it with your own tax-free money,” Bachmann responded. She added, “You should be able to set aside whatever amount of your income you need to purchase the kind of health care you need for yourself, for your family,” (Huisenga, 9/19).

Finally, the HPV controversy continues —

The Associated Press: Bachmann Says Vaccine Retardation Claim Not Hers
Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said Monday she was not arguing that a vaccine intended to prevent cervical cancer caused mental retardation when she repeated the scientifically unfounded claim last week. The Minnesota congresswoman said she was relaying what a distraught woman told her after a GOP presidential debate in Florida in which Bachmann criticized rival Rick Perry for ordering the vaccine in Texas (Beaumont, 9/19).

NPR: HPV Vaccine: The Science Behind The Controversy
Many find the public health case for HPV vaccination compelling. Cervical cancer strikes about 12,000 U.S. women a year and kills around 4,000. Strong backers of the vaccine include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The vaccine requires three shots over six months and costs upwards of $400, which is not always covered by insurers or government agencies (Knox, 9/19).

Health Buzz: Depression Ups Stroke Risk

Depression may raise the risk of stroke, a new study suggests. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital analyzed 28 studies involving more than 317,000 people ages 18 and over who were followed for anywhere from two to 29 years. They found that participants with depression were 45 percent more likely to have a stroke and 55 percent more likely to die of stroke than those without the mood disorder. The study authors speculate that depression inflames hormones in the nervous system, which could increase stroke risk, according to findings published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Also: People with depression are likelier to smoke, eat unhealthily, and be overweight—all risk factors for stroke. “We think that in the future, depression should be considered as a risk factor for stroke,” study author An Pan, a research fellow in the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, told Time. “We still need more evidence to see whether such screening will be beneficial for patients, but I think our study provides convincing evidence to support further research.”

Stroke: 7 Signs You Could Be at Risk of a Brain Attack

Stroke can hit like a deadly lightning bolt. And if the victim survives, the aftermath can be debilitating—affecting functioning from movement to speech. While stroke is the third-leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States, it trails behind other major diseases in awareness and recognition of symptoms. Being informed, however, can protect you from suffering either an ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot and the most common form of stroke, or the less common hemorrhagic stroke, caused by bleeding in the brain. Know the factors that may be putting you at risk:

Uncontrolled high blood pressure. As for all cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke. The American Heart Association estimates that only 45 percent of people with high blood pressure actually have it under control, U.S. News reported in 2009. Female stroke victims, in particular, tend to have uncontrolled blood pressure, and in general, women who suffer strokes don’t seem to be treated as aggressively as men. High blood pressure doesn’t have any outward telltale signs, so getting it measured by your healthcare provider is essential to determine if you should make lifestyle changes or take medications to bring it down.

Smoking. Puffing on cigarettes is associated with a host of ills. An increased risk of stroke is one of them. When compared to nonsmokers, smokers have double the risk of ischemic stroke. Heavy smokers face an even greater risk: A study of women ages 15 to 49 published in the journal Stroke found stroke risk was proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The women who smoked two or more packs a day had nine times the risk of stroke of a nonsmoker. And a study in Neurology found that smokers with a family history of brain aneurysm, abnormal bulging of an artery in the brain, are six times as likely to have a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a kind of stroke caused by a bleed between the brain and the tissue that covers it. These types of stroke are deadly nearly 40 percent of the time.

Getting Pregnant – Is It Possible With Uterine Fibroids?

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Category : Pregnancy

A number of factors may affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant. Some of these factors are permanent while some can be overcome. Uterine fibroid is an example of a factor that can make it more difficult for a woman to get pregnant. It does not, however, totally ruin her chances.

First, let’s begin with a little explanation of what fibroids are and how they can affect conception.

Uterine fibroids are benign growths or tumors in the walls of the uterus. They are quite common occurrence as about 20 to 50% of all women will suffer from some of the general fibroids symptoms at one period of their life. Fibroids seem to occur more in black women, women over 35 years, and women with weight issues.

Uterine Fibroids and Pregnancy

Fibroids in the uterus do not directly cause a woman to become infertile. However, there are cases where women with fibroids find it difficult to conceive or get pregnant.

Cases such as these are caused by the effect of the tumor growth and other fibroids symptoms. The tumor growth can distort the shape of the uterus or fallopian tube, making it more difficult for sperm cells to reach the female egg during ovulation.

If there are some blockages in the fallopian tube, this may result that sperm cells are not able to travel the required distance to cause fertilization. Sometimes, even if conception does occur, fibroids can cause also miscarriage.

Getting Pregnant with Fibroids

Typically, a woman with uterine fibroids can get pregnant through normal intercourse. Like mentioned above, fibroids don’t make women infertile. They can only affect her chances of getting pregnant by causing some blockage in the fallopian tube.

If a woman with fibroids finds that she has not been able to conceive, she will need to see her gynecologist to determine the type of fibroid growth she has. The gynecologist will determine where it is located and how it is affecting the patient’s ability to get pregnant. The doctor will also be able to explain the best options available to her.

Available options include engaging in timed intercourse so as to have sex during her ovulation period. Another option is to have sperm cells placed directly inside her uterus during her fertile period with a process known as intra-uterine insemination.

For severe cases a myectomy can be performed. It involves removing the fibroid tissue from the walls of the uterus. In vitro fertilization is another viable option that involves using a drug that causes the woman to produce more eggs. The eggs are then fertilized outside the woman’s body and then returned to the uterus.

Uterine fibroids are usually harmless, and women should not be too worried about them. Even if you experience difficulties to conceive, there are options that can help you.