There are many endometriosis alternative treatments, but the natural treatments that seem to enjoy the best results for treatment of endometriosis are acupuncture, homeopathy, herbalism and naturopathy. Therapies may be many and varied but all of these alternative treatments have the sole aim of encouraging the body to heal itself.

Many sufferers will confirm that endometriosis affects them emotionally, and some of these alternative treatments can be particularly successful in dealing with this feature of the condition. A good example of this is aromatherapy, which can provide great help in addressing stress and depression. Homeopathy has a reputation for bringing long dormant, emotional issues to the surface.

The different methods of treatment should be considered fully when choosing which remedy is best for you. Clearly, if you have a hatred of needles and injections, then acupuncture is not an appropriate option. Similarly, if you are unable to swallow strong, sometimes pungent potions, then herbalism is not for you.

It is important to understand that endometriosis alternative treatments should not be seen as an instant cure, but they will provide a milder, safer option, with more effective results seen over the longer term.

If you have elected to take the natural endometriosis treatment route, the next, and vital step should be to choose a highly regarded, qualified practitioner, who should be a current member of the governing body controlling their particular area of expertise.

The types of questions that you should be asking before beginning any therapy course are listed as follows;

-What qualifications are held by the practitioner?

-What was the type and length of training?

-Does the practitioner belong to a regulated and recognized professional organisation.

-If so, is there a specific code of practice?

-Is treatment available via a doctor’s referral?

-Does health insurance cover the treatment?

-What is the cost?

-How many consultations might be required?

Of course, you might be able to think of more!

When choosing endometriosis alternative treatment, it will almost certainly be on an individual, face-to-face basis, so it is vital that you have a relationship centred on trust with your practitioner. You must be certain that your choice of practitioner is experienced in dealing with endometriosis and its effects.

Endometriosis can be extremely distressing, so do not rush, take your time and do not settle for the cheap option. It is even preferable to wait until you find exactly what is right for you.

Bacterial Vaginosis can be an uncomfortable problems, as well as a difficult one to treat medically. There are antibiotics that you can take for it, but they don’t always work. Even when they do, there is always a risk that your BV will come back sometimes after you stop taking the medication. That’s why performing BV treatment at home in a natural way is often a preferred option.

Clean Living:

One of the natural ways to treat or prevent BV is to practice clean living. There are several ways to do that. For a start, it is important to keep the outside of your vagina clean and dry. The best ways to do that are to:

Dry off well after a shower.
Change your underwear often.
Do not wear a wet swimsuit for too long after getting out of the pool, lake or ocean.
Do not wear a thong.
Always wipe from the front to the back after you have a bowel movement. That will help you to avoid getting fecal matter near your vagina.

The clean living idea also extends to habits that you have. For example, eating sugary snacks, fatty foods or anything containing too much caffeine can be bad for your general health and can certainly help the bad bacteria that cause BV to multiply. Drinking too much alcohol or smoking cigarettes can also damage your immune system and lower your body’s defenses.

Your Body Needs Support:

The important thing to remember, when you have BV, is that your body needs support. One of the best ways to give it that support is to get the right mixture of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, Calcium, potassium and vitamin A. Each of those elements brings with it its own benefits. For instance, a vitamin E cream can instantly relieve the feminine itching caused by BV. Calcium, meanwhile, can reduce the pain, cramping and discomfort that can often occur when a BV infection is present.

As for potassium, it can be really important for bacterial vaginosis treatment. It can help your blood to clot. That means that you will be able to reduce any BV related bleeding that you would otherwise have to deal with. So, you will have one less dangerous symptom to worry about. Bananas contain a lot of potassium, but you may want to get potassium in a supplement form, instead.

Supplements:

In fact, these days it can be very difficult to get all of the vitamins and minerals that you need. Processed foods contain too many chemicals and additives. Meanwhile, they don’t contain nearly enough of the healthy elements that can help you to fight BV. You can get the right supplements to treat and prevent BV at any good health food store or online.

Just keep in mind that BV treatment at home in a natural way is an individual process. You have to find what works for you because no two women are exactly the same. So, be patient while you are trying to treat your BV naturally. However, be sure to seek medical help, if your BV symptoms suddenly worsen.

If you’re suffering from period pains but no period, you would probably like to know what creates them. More importantly, you would probably like to know how to get rid of those unwanted aches and pains. In order to do that, though, you need to understand the causes of the problem.

The Two Biggest Causes:

There are two big causes of period-like pains, such as bloating and cramping, without actually having any bleeding. One of those possible causes is that you could be pregnant. The early stages of pregnancy can often feel similar to having your period. You could experience bloating, muscle aches, cramps, headaches, nausea and more. You also might experience some bleeding, but not all pregnant women do.

The other big cause of having pain without the actual bleeding of a period is that you could simply have PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome. Almost all women experience bloating, nausea, headaches or other symptoms just prior to their period. However, the exact symptoms can vary in type and severity from month to month.

What You Can Do About It:

If you could potentially be pregnant, you should definitely get confirmation from a doctor. Also, if you have a family history of any sort of reproductive disorder, such as uterine cancer or ovarian cysts, you should consult your doctor. It’s important to rule those causes out.

If you determine that you are just having problems with PMS, you have a lot of things that you can do to fight those problems. The best option, however, is to use all natural treatment methods. Many medications don’t treat the whole problem or only treat it temporarily. Natural treatments, on the other hand, can help you to build up your body’s defenses and regulate your hormone levels, eliminating most of your PMS symptoms.

Mineral, Vitamin and Herb Treatments:

As far as vitamins and minerals go, calcium, magnesium, iron and folic acid are all important for your health, especially around period times. Together, they have the ability to regulate hormones, regulate blood flow, replace lost nutrients, relieve cramping and prevent mood swings. Not only that, but they don’t have harsh side effects, generally.

Herbs are just as important for a balanced body. Chasteberry and evening primrose are two of the best. They can really help you to retake control of your own body. That way, you can get rid of your period and PMS pain.

There are many supplements that contain these components. One of the best is Period Vitamin, which contains each of the elements above. It also contains white willow bark, which is a natural pain relief herb, and a lot of other natural components designed to support a woman’s health.

Other Steps:

Although you can get a great supplement like Period Vitamin, you also need to take other simple steps to relieve PMS and period pain. For example, reducing your stress levels and getting plenty of sleep can make a huge difference in a positive way. Eating a balanced diet can also help you to control hormone levels, reduce water weight gain and control other symptoms. So, you don’t just have to live with having period pains but no period.

In today’s world women have become very much informed about the dangerous side effects of breast enhancement surgery and many of them are now looking for alternative form of medicine which is safe and does not possess any chances of side effects. Those times are gone when women were willing to take chances with cosmetic surgery and suffer from its adverse side effects. In this article we are going to discuss about some of the ways through which breasts size can increased without causing any harm to the body.

In the first place as I think a woman should be content with whatever breasts size she has, if everyone accepts this reality then there would be no need to write articles on ways to get a bigger breast size but as we know we do not live in an ideal world and there are always comparisons being made and everybody wants to look better than others.

The good news for women is that there are a wide variety of natural methods available now which can help you enhance your breasts size without undergoing the surgical procedure.

Ways To Get Bigger Breasts

1. Improve Your Posture This is the first and the most important part of improving your overall personality. A woman who walks with her head held high, shoulders spread back and a tucked in tummy will have her breasts appear larger than they actually are and will also help in preventing diseases related to posture like osteoporosis and scoliosis.

2. Massage It is also a very effective method to enhance the size of breasts. Massaging the breasts regularly with herbal creams or oils help in improved blood flow to the area which is essential for normal growth of breasts.

3. Exercise There are some very effective exercises for breast enhancement namely push ups against the wall and dumb bell press with not very heavy weight. Another benefit of exercising is that it helps in increasing estrogen levels in the body which is essential hormone for normal growth of breasts in women.

4. Diet Eat green leafy vegetables and carrots as both of them have estrogen levels. In China women take help of chicken head soup as it is considered a rich source of estrogen.

5. Herbal Medicines There are also a number of herbs which can help in enhanced breasts size. As we know small breasts size is due to deficiency of estrogen in the body hence women are administered herbs which are rich in estrogen hence they naturally help in increasing the size of breasts without causing any other undue changes in the body.

Simply put, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease is characterized by anything which may cause inflammation within the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. This means that PID can have a wide range of causes from STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) to post-surgical issues to the IUD (Intrauterine Device). PID affects nearly 1 million women each year and nearly 10%-15% of these women may become infertile due to the disease. The remaining become more susceptible to ectopic pregnancies (pregnancies occurring outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes). These pregnancies are not viable and although over half will resolve themselves naturally without treatment, the other half may become extremely dangerous, or even life-threatening if left untreated.

PID is primarily caused by bacterial infections, but can also begin as viral, fungal or parasitic infections. The infection will generally start out in the vagina. Within the vagina the infection is able to flourish and multiply. If left untreated, the infection can then spread to other parts of the reproductive system, such as the the uterus or, from there, the fallopian tubes and even the ovaries.

The infection presents the greatest threat when it has spread to the fallopian tubes because once the infection begins to create scar tissue within the fallopian tubes it will quickly create blockages due to the narrow openings. These blockages is what causes infertility in women or lead to dangerous ectopic pregnancies.

Causes of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease:

STIs

Although not the only cause, STIs are a large contributor to the development and prevalence of PID today. This may be specifically related to the rise in cases of STIs in general. Since 1997, for instance, the number of cases reported annually of Chlamydia has increased over 100% from about 500,000 cases annually to over 1.2 million cases reported annually. Contradictory to that, the number of reported cases of Gonorrhea reported annually has remained mostly steady at around 300,000 cases reported annually.

Since both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea typically show now signs or symptoms, it is no mystery why these can develop into PID so easily. So the first and most effective means of preventing PID through an STI is simply using protection during sexual intercourse and/or, if you’re having unprotected sex, having regular gynological exams. It is our job and it is our opportunity to decrease the spread of these STIs significantly by asking our partners to wear a condom. If we can prevent the spread of these diseases by even a factor of 50% then it is certain we will see a similar reduction in the number of cases of PID each year, not to mention a sharp decrease in the number of ectopic pregnancies as well.

IUD

Initial research surrounding the IUD indicated that the instance of PID in women using an IUD was much higher than what more recent research has shown. It is believed that there was a lack of control of the groups used in the initial research, meaning the results could have shown much more drastic results than what the IUD actually causes. The more recent research has indicated that the IUD only introduces a risk of PID if an untreated STI such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea is present. In these cases, the IUD would act to accelerate or ensure the onset of PID. For this reason, it is essential that the patient has their gynecologist perform a pelvic exam prior to the insertion of the IUD. After the first month of being inserted, the IUD will present no further threat.

Postpartum PID

PID occurs in Postpartum women in approximately 1% of cases. Once again, the most common cause of this is STIs. Due to the unique changes to the body and hormones, the women is more susceptible to STIs during the 12 months following pregnancy. For this reason, it is even more important to have regular gynecological screenings in the 12 month period following your pregnancy.

However, that is not the only cause. If you encountered any complications during the pregnancy or during delivery, this may also cause PID. In the event that a complication should cause scar tissue to develop within the reproductive system, it is possible for PID to also occur. For this reason, if you had complications during your pregnancy, during delivery, or following delivery, you should consult your gynecologist for a more thorough exam.

Postabortal PID

Similar to Postpartum PID, if a pregnancy is terminated or if the woman experiences a miscarriage the body may be more susceptible to STIs following due to a change in the hormones within the body. However, due to the procedure involved with terminating a pregnancy, there may be an increased risk of infection or an increased risk of damage within the reproductive system which could cause additional scarring.

Can Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Be Cured?

Since PID is merely the inflammation experienced from the infection, PID itself can be cured. However, the scarring created within the reproductive system by the infection may be permanent. This will depend largely on how long the infection was allowed to spread without being treated and also the severity of the infection.

In the event that PID causes infertility in the woman there are a couple options. First, tuboplasty may be used to restore normal reproductive function. Tuboplasty is a surgical procedure used to correct an obstruction or abnormality with the fallopian tubes and may help a woman restore normal reproductive function. With medical advancements, Tuboplasty is becoming a more accepted procedure for handling PID as success rates are generally between 50-70%. If the infection spread further, into the ovaries, and tuboplasty is not possible, or if tuboplasty is not an option for some other reason, then IVF is still a viable means of becoming pregnant. IVF (Invetro Fertilization) is the procedure of implanting a fertilized egg within the female. Success rates of IVF will vary depending on a number of factors, including age. On average, women under 35 saw a success rat of approximately 34% with IVF compared to a 27% success rate for women over 35.

Even if PID is cured, regular screening would be recommended on an ongoing basis as the woman may become more susceptible to chronic PID.

Final Thoughts

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease may be one of the scariest causes of infertility in women for no other reason than the fact it affects 1 million women annually. Some people might say that we can’t live our lives in fear, but that’s not what I’m suggesting. The fact is that PID causes more cases of infertility in women annually than anything else, yet is entirely preventable. As women we need to take a stand for ourselves and understand that with our actions alone we can drastically decrease the instances of PID annually simply by reducing the cases of STIs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea by practicing safe sex. Also, as parents I feel it is our duty to talk to our kids about sex, and safe sex, and remove the negativity we associate with sex and, instead, have them understand the great responsibility that comes with having sex and the dangers of having unprotected sex. Then, if we take that same understanding and that same responsibility to heart, PID will become a much less devastating cause of infertility in women. In the end, it is our choice that makes a difference.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which is also referred to as PCOS, is a condition that is caused by a hormonal imbalance in women. This condition is usually diagnosed in women and girls who are between the ages of 12-45.

Some of the PCOS symptoms include irregular periods or no period at all, acne, increased hair growth on the face or the body and thinning hair. Females that have condition are at an increased risk of developing complications such as diabetes, heart disease and infertility. In fact, PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility.

If you have, or have had, PCOS you know how frustrating the condition can be. Luckily, there are ways that can be used to correct the problem. While PCOS affects to the levels of progesterone and estrogen, all that needs to be done is to adjust their levels within normal levels.

Women who are not looking to start a family right away may be prescribed birth control pills. Birth control pills help increase a woman’s level of estrogen and progesterone while decreasing her levels of testosterone. Birth Control pills can help regulate a woman’s menstrual cycles and decrease unwanted hair growth and acne.

Many women who have PCOS are overweight and this can further increase the risk of complications. Health experts have found that women who lose as little as ten or fifteen pounds can help correct the hormonal imbalance.

They also recommend that women who are looking to lose weight eat a diet that is filled with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Daily exercise is also highly recommended.

As mentioned above, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the leading cause of female infertility. However, this doesn’t mean that a woman with PCOS cannot have children. There are plenty of examples about women who have successfully conceived after losing some weight. Unfortunately, there are also women who are not able to get pregnant, and these women need some medical help.

Clomid and metformin are the most common drugs that are prescribed for women suffering infertility due to their PCOS. While insulin resistance can be caused by PCOS, metformin helps patient’s body to response insulin. Besides that, it also regulates a woman’s periods, and this makes it easier for her to get pregnant.

Clomid is a medication that helps induce ovulation. Many women have been able to get pregnant after taking clomid, but there is an increased risk of multiple gestation associated with taking it.

Once a woman understands the hormonal imbalance caused by this condition, she will have a better understanding of the many things that can be done to correct it. Taking birth control pills and losing weight are two of the many things that can be done to correct this hormonal imbalance.

If a woman is trying to get pregnant, and she has difficulties to conceive, she should discuss with her doctor about the use of clomid and metformin.

Over the years, the number of women resorting to breast pills are increasing by leaps and folds. For years now, women had been suffering from insecurities over smaller breasts, especially after giving birth to a child, or undergoing procedures like removal of breast implants or weight loss. It then becomes necessary for them to have the right size and volume of breast. Previously though, science could not have sorted out this issue. But with changing times, it is possible to enhance the breast size by the use of breast enhancement pills, capsules and creams. Women can no longer complain about methods to increase the size of their breasts.

But one thing people tend to overlook in the heat of the moment is safety related issues regarding a medicine. Each medicine has some or the other kind of side effect, and the same applies to breast pills. Breasts are a delicate part of a woman’s body. It is known to be very sensitive, and the tissue found in the breast region react differently to medications. Before actually using it, therefore, women need to understand the consequences and effects related to Breast enhancement pills and capsules.

Many doctors condemn the use of breast drugs, since there is no concrete proof ascertaining their efficacy. In fact, the doctor’s forum has mixed reviews regarding the use of breast medicines. enhancement products work by increasing the estrogen level in a woman’s body, thus affecting the breast tissues, helping it grow in volume and size. But in the process, the body of a woman can be affected adversely, and it is these safety concerns that need to be taken into account. Estrogen is responsible for developing and maintaining the female features. Hence, besides providing impetus to the breast tissues, it also adds to the growth of uterine tissue as well. This is one of the biggest threats, since it can mark the initiation of uterine cancer in women.

Also, no one can assure that enhancement products do not interfere with menstruation, fertility, and even the effectiveness of other drugs, like birth control pill. So, before you actually decide to buy total curve or any such breast enhancement products, it is advisable to consult your physician or doctor. It is also recommended to buy breast enhancement pills online, where you can conduct a thorough scrutiny and detailed research about the safety concerns of the product before you decide on a purchase.

Women today find themselves bombarded with all types of daily stress. The stress to be wife, mother, breadwinner, and all around leader for the community leads many women to ignore their diets and put themselves in nutritional danger. Many ladies face the dangers of heart disease, cancer, joint problems, and a myriad of other problems mainly because they are not getting the right foods to help them keep up with the demands of their lives. Even those that do eat right may not be getting the enough nutrients because of the highly processed and refined foods that make up so much of the Western diet these days. Taking supplements either in individual form or combined into multivitamins can take some of the stress living out of your life.

The top supplements that women should be taking are:

A Quality Multivitamin
A high quality multivitamin that includes iron is the number one best supplement for a busy woman. It will provide most of the vitamins and minerals you need to protect yourself from the stresses of daily living. Make sure you choose a quality manufacturer where the source of the nutrients can be researched. You also want to find a vitamin that does not cause you gastric upset and is easily digested.

Omega-3 Fish Oil
Because of the high level of stress most women of today are under the next supplement we believe to be of importance are omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil and contain EPA and DHA, which are the two building blocks for brain and heart health. Fish oil helps to reduce heart disease, lower triglycerides, control blood pressure, reduce chronic inflammation (which leads to many diseases and has been linked to breast cancer), reduce memory loss, fight age related macular degeneration, and lessen episodes of depression. Fish oil is almost a miracle supplement for women. The American Heart Association suggest taking 1 – 3 grams of fish oil per day to gain the maximum benefit.

Calcium Citrate
Women suffer from bone loss and age related osteoporosis more than any single group of people in the world. Taking calcium can help to stop this growing problem. Taking 1 gram of calcium citrate every day not helps to control bone loss but can also cut down on the physical and mental stress of your menstrual cycle according to the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Vitamin D
Getting a sufficient quantity of vitamin D in your diet is difficult so taking a supplement is your best bet. Vitamin D will help to fight many of the cancers such as breast, ovarian, and colon cancer.

Co enzyme Q-10
Many of the headaches that women are much more likely than men to get have been found to be less debilitating and less frequent in women taking co enzyme Q-10. 300 mg per day can stop the severity and regularity of these intense headaches.

Vitamin E and Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract and vitamin E are two of the most powerful antioxidants around. With all the oxidative stress put on women both inside and out, these two nutrients can help maintain the integrity of your skin and your internal organs. Clearing out all the free radicals that are formed each day these two antioxidants will help keep you looking and feeling younger all the time. They help to fight wrinkles, support collagen and elastin production in the body and help to dissipate the harmful effects of UV rays on your body.

Taking these supplements, along with a proper diet, should keep your body in top working condition. The daily stress of being a woman can be lessened with just a little bit of knowledge. Take the time to take care of yourself and your quality of life will improve tremendously.

A woman may lead to this irritating condition once the level of the good bacteria in her vagina is outnumbered by the bad ones. In this case, the bacteria in her vagina called lactobacilli has been decreased giving room for the other bacteria, called gardnerella to increase.

Usually, a woman is suspected to have a bacterial vaginosis when a yellowish discharge that has a foul smell comes out from a woman’s vagina. It is often being secreted after having sex. The foul smell of the discharge is best described as a rotten fish-like odor. This condition may bring a feeling of irritation and itchiness around the vaginal area and warm temperature when urinating. But in some cases of bacterial vaginosis, the ailment appears to be asymptomatic.

Bacterial vaginosis treatment can be done by getting number of the present bacteria to their normal levels. Of course, after it has been put back to its normal level, we have to maintain its condition and do some preventive measures on how to keep it balanced. There are a lot of effective ways on how to deal with such condition but they usually don’t work for all women.
Amoxicillin online pharmacy
So far, the best treatment program and can be done at your very own home is called the BVCURES. Yes, it is called a miracle but it doesn’t work like magic. It is made up of the step by step procedure that will teach you how you can put your vaginal bacteria balanced. This procedure will definitely stop the ailment from recurring.

More often than not, bacterial vaginosis treatment is done with the intake of prescribed antibiotics. But there had been studies that most of the women who were treated with antibiotics for their bacterial vaginosis suffer under an abnormal vaginal flora for almost 1 year after the treatment is done. Experts say that this is because antibiotics were designed to treat the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and not the cause of the ailment. So if the root of this illness is not addressed, the possibility of recurrence is high.

Examples of Antibiotics used for bacterial vaginosis treatment are clindamycin and metrondiazole. Usually, the effects of these antibiotics may be felt after 2 to 3 days of treatment but just like all other antibiotics, it is advised to be taken for 7 days. Same with vaginal suppositories, it should be used accordingly for 7 days however it is not advised to be used by infected pregnant women.

Bacterial vaginosis, when treated, are most likely to recur. So it is hogly advised for women to take necessary precautions after they had been treated for such. Some of these precautions are:

Health care disparities at issue in abortion rates among black Americans

OAKLAND — The abortion rate in the African-American community is several times higher than any other group, but community members and health providers say a recent anti-abortion billboard campaign in Oakland is misguided and simplistic.

The billboards, financed and distributed by the anti-abortion organization Issues4Life have prompted outrage among abortion rights groups and women’s health care organizations who say the ads are inflammatory, racist and demeaning. But Walter Hoye, who directs the group, says the billboards are a way of bringing attention to what he has described as an abortion-created “genocide” in the African-American community.

Nationwide, African-American women receive approximately five times as many abortions as white women, according to U.S government statistics collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those numbers hold true across all income levels. In 2006, the CDC recorded 45.9 abortions per 100 births among African-American women, versus 16.2 for white women. The Gutmacher Institute, an abortion rights research center that focuses on issues around women’s reproductive health, said African-American women are three times as likely as white women to have an unintended pregnancy. California does not make abortion figures available to the public.

“This is a topic we ought to talk about,” said Hoye, a Berkeley pastor and Union City resident. “It’s the No. 1 killer in the African-American community.” Hoye’s efforts are part of a nationwide anti-abortion movement that has erected billboards in Atlanta, Chicago and New York, among other cities.

Women’s health experts, abortion rights groups and several prominent African-American activists have decried the billboards’ appearance as a simplistic and demeaning response to a complex concoction of social ills.

“It is reprehensible, and disrespectful to the African-American community,” said Lupe Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the Alameda County branch of Planned Parenthood. “They’re trying to single out one part of the overall health care of that community, and using a wedge issue to divide people.”

Rodriguez and others say the high number of African-American abortions is due to a widespread pattern of health disparities in low-income and minority communities that prevents women from obtaining effective contraception and then sustaining its use over long periods of time.

A 2008 report from the Gutmacher Institute showed that the vast majority of abortions in the U.S. were due to unintended pregnancies, regardless of race or economic status.

“Life events such as relationship changes, moving or personal crises can have a direct impact on (contraceptive) method continuation,” wrote Susan Cohen, the author of the report, “Abortion and Women of Color: The Bigger Picture.” “Such events are more common for low-income and minority women than for others, and may contribute to unstable life situations where consistent use of contraceptives is lower-priority than simply getting by.”

Moreover, say critics of the billboards, the high abortion rates are just part of the picture. More broadly, the abortion figures fit into a pattern of poor health outcomes for African-Americans and Latinos in a number of areas. In 2008, the CDC reported that black teens were more than twice as likely to have some form of sexually transmitted disease. The incidence of AIDS rates nationwide is eight times higher for African-American men than for whites. Meanwhile, across California, African-Americans represent 6 percent of the population, but 16 percent of the uninsured. In Alameda County, there are roughly four times as many uninsured African-Americans as whites, even though their population numbers are on par.

“This was a longer effort to shame and blame black women to make some tough reproductive health decisions,” said Toni Bond Leonard, a spokeswoman for Black Women for Reproductive Justice, a national group based in Chicago where billboards have also appeared. “At no point has anyone attempted to reach out to black women in the community to find out what we believe. They want to make this about abortion, but this is about health disparities.”

In Oakland, the billboards are prominently visible. One of the 60 or so scattered across the city sits above a liquor store in West Oakland. It shows a pastiche of an African-American infant below the words “Black is Beautiful.” At the bottom of the sign is a website address: toomanyaborted.com.

Across the street, a young woman named Nikki glances up and frowns. “We’re approaching it backward,” she said. “The message up there should say, ‘Do you have enough support?’ or ‘Do you have resources to help you during this pregnancy?’”

One young African-American man in the area said he supported the overall message, largely because of the two young daughters he works so hard to support.

“I don’t believe in abortion,” said Auntrell Brooks, 32, a carpenter. “I have two daughters, and once you see them grow up, you see what you have.” Brooks had his first daughter when he was 16. But he says he knows many women who have aborted their pregnancies. “They said it hurt, they couldn’t afford it, the baby’s daddy was gone, they just had sex and got pregnant.”

Planned Parenthood and a number of other local health organizations have begun responding to the billboards by meeting with community leaders and doing outreach programs to counter Hoye’s message. “It really boils down to people not having access to care, not being able to prevent those unintended pregnancies,” Rodriguez said.

Access is not the real issue, counters Hoye.

“One side is comfortable taking the life of a human being, and one side isn’t,” he said. “That baby should be protected by love and by law. If there’s any confusion about that, we can wait and find out.”

Ultimately, the billboards may be more of a distraction than a help, said Belle Taylor-McGhee, national communications director for Trust Black Women, an abortion rights advocacy group.

“Across the country, you’re going to find a majority of African-American women support a woman making a private decision about when and whether to be a parent,” she said. “But you have to engage people to assess that.”

Kansas abortion law awaits ruling

Two of the three remaining abortion businesses in Kansas continue their battle against tougher licensing standards outlined in a new state law that was supposed to go into effect July 1, seeking and receiving a temporary restraining order in federal court.

Just hours after the standards went into effect, U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia temporarily blocked the state from enforcing the new rules until a time when the court could rule on the matter.

Aid for Women (AFW) in Kansas City, Kan., and the Center for Women’s Health (CWH) in Overland Park claimed the new regulations caused unnecessary hardships on their businesses, which they said would require extensive renovations in order to comply. They also complained that they did not receive the final licensing regulations until June 17, which did not give them enough time to come into compliance by July 1.

The Kansas City Star reported that Murguia issued the preliminary injunction because the plaintiffs would likely succeed in their claim that they were denied due process.

“There is absolutely no way that they could have complied with those requirements,” Teresa Woody, an attorney for the two CWH abortionists, argued in federal court. “There is an undue burden both on the doctors and the patients.”

The new regulations include what drugs and equipment providers must stock, require them to make medical records available for inspection, set standards for room sizes and temperatures, and require patients to remain in recovery rooms at least two hours after an abortion.

“Abortion clinics and the abortion staff hate being regulated and inspected,” said Operation Rescue president Troy Newman. “It is no surprise that these shoddy abortion clinics refuse the most basic standards.”

Other supporters add that the new regulations would protect patients and often cite South Carolina’s similar set of regulations for abortion providers as a good model that’s already survived court scrutiny.

The state’s third abortion provider, Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri in Overland Park, was initially denied an abortion license after an inspection by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and had also filed suit to block implementation of the new law. But after a second inspection, Planned Parenthood received its license a day before the new law went into effect.

CWH, run by a father-daughter team, Herbert Hodes and Traci Nauser, canceled its scheduled KDHE inspection, deciding to file suit instead. Previously, when asked by the Associated Press about the law’s new safety regulations, Hodes said, “We’re doomed.”

AFW was denied its license based on information provided in a written application, prompting it to join CWH’s lawsuit on June 29.

According to the new regulations approved by the Kansas Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback, the KDHE must annually license facilities that perform more than five non-emergency abortions per month.

“A review of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment records shows that not one single abortion has ever been performed on a woman in Kansas to save her life,” Operation Rescue’s Newman pointed out.

Exponential Rise in Hospitals Seeking Guidance of Spirit of Women Health Network

Spirit of Women Health Network today announces that nearly 20 U.S. hospitals and medical centers have decided to join forces with Spirit of Women Health Network within the past year in an effort to advance the cause and business of women’s health, and to energize the passion and profitability of women’s health. Hospital executives from more than 170 Spirit of Women member hospital facilities and health systems in 35 states from coast to coast will gather at the Spirit of Women annual National Executive Meeting in Scottsdale to focus on the challenges and successes facing the hospital and healthcare industry.

“The key to successful healthcare is improving prevention, patient navigation, physician engagement and clinical integration on the local and national levels, and that’s exactly what we do,” said Spirit of Women President Tanya Abreu. ”Our strong, vibrant national network provides us with opportunities to improve the lives of women and their families and make a profound impact on the success of healthcare today and into the future.”

From July 13 – 15, hospital executives will gather to exchange best practices, explore a range of care models, and learn strategic solutions for re-energizing and expanding women’s service lines as part of the National Executive Meeting of the Spirit of Women Health Network taking place in Scottsdale this year.

“Women are the largest and most influential consumer group for every hospital in the nation, and because the health care needs and demands of women are so vastly different than those of men, it is critically important to get it right,” said Tana Sykes, Communication Director for St. David’s North Austin Medical Center in Austin, TX. “We joined Spirit of Women this year to build upon a comprehensive women-centric business strategy to enhance the services we offer the community, to better engage women and to further strengthen our hospital system.”

Spirit Expansions

During the past year, Spirit of Women Health Network has seen astounding growth, with the following hospitals and health systems becoming part of this effort to transform women’s health across the country:
St. Joseph Hospital, Chicago, IL
Medical Center of Lewisville, Lewsville, TX
Northwest Hospital – LifeBridge Health, Baltimore, MD
Susquehanna Health, Wiliamsport, PA
Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Medical Center of Trinity, New Port Richey, FL
Catholic Healthcare West – Sacramento Region North, Sacramento, CA
Catholic Healthcare West – Sacramento Region South, Sacramento, CA
St. Joseph Medical Center, Reading, PA
Baptist Medical Center South, Montgomery, AL
Gulf Coast Medical Center, Panama City, FL
Capital Regional Medical Center, Tallahassee, FL
Thompson Health, Canandaigua, NY
Las Colinas Medical Center, Irving, TX
Schneck Medical Center, Semour, IN
Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA
Willis-Knighton Health System, Shreveport, LA

ABOUT SPIRIT OF WOMEN

Spirit of Women is a national network of hospitals dedicated to advancing the cause and business of women’s health. The Spirit of Women business strategy packages and promotes women’s health across all hospital service lines resulting in increased volumes and market share, successful new patient acquisition, enhanced physician relationships, amplified national and regional media attention, and improved community health status. Spirit of Women offers turnkey educational, outreach and business development tools including targeted clinical programs, signature events, publications and year-round digital and print communication strategies to hospitals seeking market leadership in women’s services.

Women in Favelas Broadcast Peace

Local women’s voices have begun to be heard over a community radio station now broadcasting in Complexo do Alemao, a clump of favelas or shantytowns on the north side of this Brazilian city that were ruled until recently by armed drug gangs.

Gender issues, social and health matters, local environmental problems, employment and women’s rights are the focus of Radio Mulher, or women’s radio station, which began to broadcast this month.

Before going on the air, the participants received a year of training about the workings of a radio station, including general courses for all as well as specific training in different areas depending on each woman’s role in the station, as determined by each individual’s strengths and talents.

The new community radio station operators are aiming to “exorcise” difficult experiences that plague many girls and women in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and other cities in Brazil. “What are our ghosts? Sexual abuse and rape,” Anatalia dos Santos, one of the first 28 women to receive the training, responds to IPS without hesitation.

The radio stations wants to tackle these and other thorny issues “that no one wants to talk about, like beatings from husbands, economic dependency on men, mothers who have to raise their children on their own,” she said.

“Women appear to be more resilient and combative, but they weren’t raised to get a job, to be successful, to make it on their own,” said dos Santos, who works as a nursing aide.

Because of this, she said, many women in Complexo do Alemao and other favelas are trapped by the reasoning that “better to live badly with him than worse off without him.”

Dos Santos belongs to Mulheres da Paz (Women of Peace), as do the rest of the women at the radio station, which broadcasts in the Complexo and surrounding areas on 98.7 FM.

Women of Peace, a Ministry of Justice programme, recruits community leaders to mediate in conflicts among local residents and try to create a peaceful haven in the favelas.

Anthropologist Solange Dacach, Women of Peace field coordinator in Rio de Janeiro and at the radio station, told IPS that one major focus of the initiative is working with young people in the favelas, because they are the chief victims of violence in Brazil.

“So many young people were being killed in drug-related turf wars,” she said.

That was the situation in the Complexo do Alemao, a complex of 13 favelas home to between 70,000 and 100,000 people, until November 2010, when the government of the state of Rio de Janeiro drove out the armed drug trafficking gangs that controlled the area, by means of a massive police and military incursion.

After regaining control over the favelas, the authorities established a permanent presence – which the government describes as a “social invasion” – with a focus on community policing and efforts to bring basic services like running water, sanitation and education to the poor neighbourhoods.

“No one wants to live surrounded by guns and seeing their kids left without any option but to pick up a gun,” dos Santos said.

Despite the ostentatious presence of an “army pacification force”, many residents of Complexo and other favelas in Rio de Janeiro where the authorities have regained control are afraid that the government will abandon them once again and the drug trafficking gangs will move back in and take reprisals.

The women involved in Radio Mulher realise that the cycle of violence cannot be broken overnight, and can only be combated by creating “a culture of peace.”

The community radio station is based on the concept of women as logical nurturers of that culture of peace, because of their mothering and caretaking roles, whether these are built-in or learned, said Dacach.

There are important precedents for this social leadership role taken on by women, said the anthropologist. “In Brazil there are a large number of movements of mothers: mothers of missing youngsters and children, of young people who were tortured by the (1964-1985) dictatorship,” which form part of the tradition of women involved in political and feminist struggles, community organising, soup kitchens and other initiatives.

Through the community radio station, the women in the Complexo want to make “peace” a tangible, day-to-day reality in the favelas.

The list of issues they plan to deal with include women’s health, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control and local environmental clean-up initiatives, said Marcia Rolemberg, head of educational communication in the state environment ministry.

With the support of other government and non-government institutions from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Radio Mulher aired its first programme, focused on the environment “as a whole,” on Jul. 2.

“Social questions are related to their environmental context, and because of this, the programme has a gender focus,” Rolemberg said, stressing that environmental issues are not limited to “plants or flowers.”

For these women, who come from poor, violent neighbourhoods, there is no shortage of issues to be addressed.

“Because of my life experience, I want to transmit to other women that they can’t be at the mercy of a pile of clothes,” Ivanir Toledo told IPS.

“They have to think of their family, yes, but also that their objective is to grow,” said Toledo, whose husband, head cook at a restaurant in a posh tourist area, is pleased with the changes he has seen in his wife.

“She’s more active and involved in her activities; she’s happier, and I am too,” Luiz Pereira de Sousa commented to IPS as he prepared a typical Brazilian dish with beef, rice and beans in the family’s home. “If we’re not close to our family, we as men don’t move forward either,” he added.

Toledo, who survived as a street child, homeless and on her own, wants the radio station to address an issue that still causes her pain: sexual violence.

Now happily married and the mother of a teenage daughter, Toledo, who is an active member of Women of Peace, has not forgotten that the streets are especially violent for girls.

“If you ask a man for a plate of food, you know the first thing that will pop into his mind. I started suffering violence as soon as I left home (at age nine). I’m talking about rape and abuse. And not just at the hands of one or two or three guys, but more. You’re there against your will, at that person’s mercy,” she said in a quiet voice.

Dos Santos, meanwhile, wants to discuss the question of work.

“In general, job training courses are especially focused on men, even though the highest levels of unemployment are among women, who in addition are often the heads of their families,” she said.

The radio station’s first programme dealt with an issue of special interest to the community: the launch of a campaign to prevent dengue fever and the reproduction of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads the disease. The radio station’s campaign has the support of the Health Ministry.

Structured as a friendly chat among neighbour women, the programme moved from issue to issue, ranging from advice on how to keep the neighbourhood free of garbage and standing water in which the mosquitoes breed to how to recognise the first symptoms of dengue fever.

Although the Women of Peace are the operators of the radio station, it will be open to all voices in the community, not only because that is its role as a community station, but also because it is their calling, they explained to IPS during one of the workshops in which they receive ongoing training.