Are There Any Side Effects of a Hysterectomy?

It's a logical and frequently asked question - are there any hysterectomy side effects?

Absolutely!

Hysterectomy is defined as the surgical removal of the vital organ called the uterus. Most hysterectomies are performed on women between the ages of 20 and 49. In the United States, the rate of hysterectomy is higher among African-American women and is higher in the Southern states. There are 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the United States every year.

There are two types of hysterectomy, the partial hysterectomy and the total hysterectomy. In a partial hysterectomy, the uterus is removed and the ovaries are left in place. In most cases, because the circulation of blood to the ovaries is diminished, the ovarian function will cease all together, although it's unknown why this happens. In a total hysterectomy or "surgical menopause", the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed which results in the interruption of the ovarian hormone production.

After the surgical procedure called hysterectomy, since hormone production has been altered, a woman may experience one or more of the following side effects:

- Anxiety


- Depression, mood swings


- Dizziness and nervousness


- Fatigue


- Hair loss


- Headaches


- Heart palpitations


- Insomnia


- Irritability


- Joint pain


- Low sex drive, painful sexual intercourse


- Memory lapses


- Unexplained weight gain


- Urinary incontinence


- Vaginal dryness

Women who have had a hysterectomy are at increased risk for developing heart disease, arthritis and osteoporosis.

There are medical conditions for which hysterectomy may be needed, especially if malignant cancer is involved. However, many hysterectomies are used to remove fibroids and to treat other related conditions. For these kinds of conditions, hysterectomy may be not needed, but women may not know of effective less radical and alternative treatments that should be considered and discussed with their physician. And women are frequently mistakenly afraid of developing cancer if a hysterectomy is not performed and may decide to have the procedure, according to a study as reported by the Reuters News Agency.

When a woman undergoes a hysterectomy, she goes into surgically induced menopause that results in the condition called "hormone imbalance", even if the ovaries are left intact. Even with the ovaries not removed, the blood supply to the ovaries lessens after the surgery and the ovaries usually cease functioning within 1-3 years.

The body needs hormones to function properly. And for a woman -- progesterone, Testosterone and estrogen are vital. How and when does a woman's body produce progesterone? It's produced in the regular menstrual cycle when ovulation occurs. No ovulation, no progesterone!

After a hysterectomy, women will experience a deficiency of two critical hormones -- progesterone and Testosterone. If only the uterus is removed in a partial hysterectomy, progesterone levels will fall dramatically in one to two months and estrogen levels will decrease in one or two years. Progesterone deficiency is related to numerous side effects including the side effects of a hysterectomy listed above. Progesterone deficiency is related to increased risk of developing certain kinds of cancer, including endometrial cancer. Testosterone deficiency in women causes low sex drive, low energy levels, thyroid deficiency and depression, for which there is no clear medical explanation.

Women who enter menopause as a result of hysterectomy should monitor their estrogen (estridiol), progesterone and Testosterone levels -- and natural estrogen alone should not be taken without natural progesterone. Hormone levels are easily and accurately measured with the saliva test, which will indicate the levels of the critical hormones in the body. Since a hysterectomy creates a deficiency of vital hormones in the woman's body, hormone replacement therapy should be considered. However, using synthetic hormones comes with additional risks and side effects.

Instead, women considering hysterectomy or already having had the procedure should seek the help of physicians trained in the use of natural bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormones are hormones that are identical to what the body makes and what normally would exist in the body. Synthetic drugs such as Premarin, Provera and Prempro are not natural nor the same as the body makes, and these kinds of synthetic drugs have numerous side effects. Naturopathic physicians, alternative medicine and holistic physicians are educated and trained in both conventional medicine and the use of bio-identical hormones, including bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.

Hysterectomy is a permanent, irreversible surgery that will likely result in unwanted side effects. Unless malignant cancer or other life-threatening condition exists, instead of hysterectomy, consider natural bio-identical hormone replacement therapy to treat fibroids, endometriosis and other conditions related to hormone imbalance. Read all you can and learn more about what to expect after a hysterectomy and effective alternative treatments that may be better for your health.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

If you or someone you know has had a hysterectomy, visit hysterectomy recovery to learn more about what to expect after a hysterectomy and related health issues. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of physician-recommended natural solutions for a variety of women's health problems.

Benign Tumors Of The Cervix

Endocervical polyps

Endocervical polyps are the most common benign neoplasms of the cervix. Please note that the word neoplasm refers to a cancerous growth. They are focal hyperplastic (abnormal cell growth) protrusions of the endocervical folds, including the epithelium and substantia propria. They are most common in the fourth to sixth decades of life and usually are asymptomatic but may cause profuse leukorrhea or postcoital spotting. (blood after orgasm)

Grossly, they appear as typical polypoid structures protruding from the cervical os. At times, endometrial polyps protrude through the cervical os. They cannot be distinguished from endocervical polyps by gross appearance. Microscopically, a variety of histologic patterns are observed, including

(1) typical endocervical mucosal

(2) inflammatory (granulation tissue)

(3) fibrous

(4) vascular

(5) pseudodecidual

(6) mixed endocervical and endometrial

(7) pseudosarcomatous.

Treatment is removal, which can usually be accomplished by twisting the polyp with a dressing forceps if the pedicle is slender. Smaller polyps may be removed with punch biopsy forceps. Polyps with a thick stalk may require surgical removal.

Microglandular hyperplasia

Microglandular hyperplasia refers to a clinically polypoid growth measuring 1-2 cm. It occurs most often in women who are on oral contraceptive therapy or Depo-Provera and in pregnant or postpartum women. It reflects the influence of progesterone.

Microscopically, it consists of tightly packed glandular or tubular units, which vary in size, lined by a flattened-to-cuboidal epithelium with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm containing small quantities of mucin. Nuclei are uniform, and mitotic figures are rare. Squamous metaplasia and reserve cell hyperplasia are common. An atypical form of hyperplasia can be mistaken for clear cell carcinoma. Unlike clear cell carcinoma, it lacks stromal invasion, has scant mitotic activity, and lacks intracellular glycogen

Squamous papilloma

Squamous papilloma is a benign solid tumor typically located on the ectocervix. It arises most commonly as a result of inflammation or trauma.

Grossly, the tumors are usually small, measuring 2-5 mm in diameter. Microscopically, the surface epithelium may show acanthosis, parakeratosis, and hyperkeratosis. The stroma has increased vascularity and a chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Treatment is removal. The squamous papilloma resembles a typical condyloma acuminatum but lacks the koilocytes microscopically.

Smooth muscle tumors (leiomyomas)

These benign neoplasms may originate in the cervix and account for approximately 8% of all uterine smooth muscle tumors. They are similar to tumors in the fundus. When located in the cervix, they usually are small, ie, 5-10 mm in diameter.

Symptoms depend on size and location. Microscopically, leiomyomas resemble the typical smooth muscle tumor found in the uterine corpus. Treatment is required only for those patients who are symptomatic. The cervical leiomyoma is usually part of the spectrum of uterine smooth muscle tumors.

Mesonephric duct remnants

When present, mesonephric duct remnants are typically located at the 3-o'clock and the 9-o'clock positions, deep within the cervical stroma. They usually are incidental findings and are present in approximately 15-20% of serially sectioned cervices. As the name implies, mesonephric duct remnants are vestiges of the mesonephric or Wolffian duct. Usually, they are only a few millimeters in diameter and seldom are grossly visible.

Microscopically, they consist of a proliferation of small round tubules lined by epithelium that is cuboidal to low columnar. The tubules tend to cluster around a central duct. The cells lining the tubules contain no glycogen or mucin, but the center of the tubule may contain a pink material that contains glycogen or mucin.

Endometriosis

When present in the cervix, endometriosis is usually an incidental finding. Grossly, it may appear as a bluish-red or bluish-black lesion, typically 1-3 mm in diameter. Microscopically, the implants are typical endometriosis, consisting of endometrial glands, endometrial stroma, and hemosiderin-laden macrophages. The implants usually gain access to the cervix during childbirth or previous surgery.

Papillary adenofibroma

This neoplasm is uncommon. Grossly, it appears as a polypoid structure. Microscopically, the neoplasm contains branching clefts and papillary excrescences lined by mucinous epithelium with foci of squamous metaplasia. A compact, cellular, fibrous tissue composed of spindle-shaped and stellate fibroblasts supports the epithelium. The stroma is devoid of smooth muscle, and mitoses are rare. Similar growths occur in the endometrium and the fallopian tubes.

Heterologous tissue

Heterologous tissue includes cartilage, glia, and skin with appendages. This type of tumor rarely occurs in the cervix. While they may arise de novo, these tumors probably represent implants of fetal tissue from a previous aborted pregnancy.

Hemangiomas

Hemangiomas in the cervix are rare in occurence and are similar to those found elsewhere in the body.

Gregory Mburu us a medical professional and a part time marketr. He post information about breast cancer and other gynaecological neoplastic disorders at http://breast-cancer-information.blogspot.com/

Is Provigil Effective for the Symptoms of ADD and ADHD?

Provigil is an interesting drug. It keeps narcoleptics from falling asleep and it also appears to help people with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) stay focused.

But how effective is Provigil for ADHD? That depends entirely on which study you review since Provigil has shown mixed results in studies related to ADHD treatment. The results of one study published in July 2000 were so disappointing that the manufacturer of the medication, Cephalon Inc., decided to pursue other indications for the drug. Then, in February 2001, the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry published the results of a study that indicated potential benefit of Provigil (monafinil) as a once-daily ADHD treatment. The most recent research, performed by the manufacturer in an effort to gain FDA approval, showed "significant improvement" when compared to a placebo.

Your body will be the best judge of Provigil's worth as an ADD and ADHD treatment. But before you run to your doctor's office asking for a prescription, there are side effects and warnings you need to be aware of.

Provigil (modafinil) Side Effects:

_ Headache.

_ Blurred vision.

_ Dry mouth.

_ Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.

_ Constipation or diarrhea.

_ Sleep disturbances/insomnia.

_ Loss of appetite/weight loss.

_ Stuffy nose.

_ Back pain.

_ Confusion.

_ Anxiety and agitation.

_ Nervousness, aggression, hostility.

_ Unstable moods.

_ Depression.

_ Decreased sex drive.

_ "Pins and Needles" feeling.

_ Rash or itching.

_ Dizziness.

_ Widening of blood vessels.

_ Weakness or loss of strength.

_ High/increased blood pressure.

_ Alteration in results of liver function tests.

_ Chest pain.

_ Increased heart rate.

_ Drug dependence.

_ Allergic reaction.

Provigil may be habit forming and has the potential for abuse and dependence. You should discuss the abuse and dependence potential of Provigil with your doctor. This drug should not be taken by anyone who has been or currently is dependent on alcohol or drugs.

Symptoms of an Provigil overdose might include excitation, agitation, insomnia, sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, aggressiveness, confusion, nervousness, tremor, palpitations, nausea, and diarrhea.

Before taking Provigil, tell your doctor if you have;

_ Left ventricular hypertrophy.

_ Chest pain.

_ Irregular heartbeats.

_ History of heart attack.

_ High blood pressure.

_ Unstable angina.

_ History of mental illness.

_ Kidney disease

_ Liver disease.

Contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects:

_ An allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

_ Irregular heartbeats.

_ Low or high blood pressure.

_ Shortness of breath.

Provigil may decrease the effects of birth control pills as well as implantable formulations such as Norplant and Depo-Provera. Women should use a second, nonhormonal form of birth control while taking Provigil, and for one month after stopping Provigil, to prevent pregnancy.

Before taking Provigil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

_ MAO inhibitors.

_ Tricyclic antidepressants.

_ Valium.

_ Other stimulant medications.

_ Seizure medications.

_ Rifadin, Rimactane.

_ Nizoral.

_ Sporanox.

_ Neoral, Sandimmune.

_ theophylline.

_ warfarin.

_ propranolol.

Currently about 20,000 people use Provigil off-label to treat the symptoms of ADHD. Doctors often prescribe drugs "off label,"meaning they prescribe the drug for a condition other than what was approved by the FDA. Though it is legal for doctors to prescribe drugs off-label, it is illegal for the drugmakers to market their drugs for off-label uses.

Provigil's manufacturer, Cephalon Inc., has requested FDA approval for Attenace, a reformulation using Provigil's active ingredient, modafinil. By achieving FDA approval for Attenace Cephalon will be allowed to market modafinil for ADHD. Attenace is expected to hit pharmacy shelves in early 2006.

Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist who specializes in health topics. Visit the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center at http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com for information about treating Attention Deficit Disorder without the use of Ritalin or other ADHD medications.

Birth Control While Breastfeeding

A woman can get pregnant when she is nursing. If you want to prevent pregnancy while nursing, you have a few options for birth control.

Sex After Childbirth

It used to be that women were advised to not have sex until six weeks after they gave birth, at their six week check-up. If you feel comfortable with this, then you can wait. However, the vagina typically heals after two weeks or so, and the cervix will also be closed after two weeks. If you haven't had any complications, you can have sex as early as two weeks after you give birth. Ask your doctor if there are any reasons you shouldn't. You might not want to have sex after you give birth: a woman's hormones change dramatically after being pregnant, and sometimes they are not as sexually charged. If you are interested in sex, know that you could be fertile again as soon as two weeks after you have your baby. Be aware of this and choose your contraception wisely.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

This is sometimes also called the breastfeeding method. This is the method that has some people confused as to whether or not you can get pregnant while you are nursing. If you choose to nurse your baby and to not give your baby other milk, you can postpone your fertility.

This means you feed your baby every four hours (from both breasts). In the night, you have to feed your baby at least every six hours.

You can only use this method if you are nursing and if you haven't had a period since your baby was born. This method only works for six months after the baby is born, and then you have to use another method.

Barrier Methods

Barrier methods of birth control won't harm your nursing infant. These include condoms, Female condoms, sponges, and prescription barrier based methods. With many prescription barrier methods, you have to wait until six to eight weeks after delivery: these include diaphragms, cervical caps, and shields.

If you are using a barrier based method with a spermicide, be sure that your vagina has healed thoroughly before using spermicide and having sex.

Hormonal Methods

You cannot take a combination hormone treatment (one that has estrogen, or ethinyl estradiol, in it) if you are nursing. This means that you cannot take combination pills, you can't wear the Patch, and you can't use a Vaginal Ring. The estrogen will be found in your breastmilk and affect your baby, and will also affect your milk supply.

You can, however, use progestin-only methods of birth control. This includes progestin-only pills, which are sometimes called mini-pills, Depo-Provera, and Mirena, a hormonal IUD (intrauterine device). Many doctors claim that progestins are too large to pass into breastmilk and will not affect your baby.

Other doctors, however, are wary about using progestin-only birth control. Dr. Cindy McClain Pearman, a family practice physician from Knoxville, Tennessee, claims that "Mini-pills and Depo are not supposed to affect [milk] supply, but I have seen it happen often, especially with the mini-pill."

If you feel uncertain about using hormonal birth control methods, you can always choose another form of birth control, be it abstinence, a barrier method, or a fertility awareness method.

IUDs: IntraUterine Devices

You can use a copper IUD while you are nursing; it will not affect your breastmilk. An IUD is a device that is inserted by your doctor. It means that you won't be able to conceive until you have it removed by a professional. Often, women who have just given birth report easier IUD insertions.

Fertility Awareness Methods

You can choose to track your fertility after your baby is born. This cannot happen until you have your first period. To learn about tracking your fertility, you will need to speak to an expert: ask your doctor, or local clinic, or women's group. You will have to abstain from sex on your unsafe days, or plan to use a back-up method.

Having just had a baby can be a magical (but tiring) experience. Family planning can benefit you, your partner, and your baby. Choose the option that seems right for you.

For more information on all of the above methods of birth control, visit The Guide to Birth Control.

Abdominal Hysterectomy: Recovery Time After Hysterectomy

Having an abdominal hysterectomy and the recovery time after hysterectomy are significant events in any woman's life. Since an abdominal hysterectomy is an in-patient surgical procedure, you should plan on being away from home and work during the surgery and perhaps during the beginning recovery time after hysterectomy. The length of the hospital stay depends on what type of hysterectomy you have, how your surgery goes and what your doctor recommends.

While the hysterectomy recovery time may take a few weeks, here are things you can do to help speed up your hysterectomy recovery:

1. Take all the pain relievers your doctor has prescribed. You will want to be as comfortable as possible during your recovery time after hysterectomy.

2. Keep sanitary pads handy since you may have some discharge and bloody drainage for several days after your abdominal hysterectomy.

3. Use a heating pad over your abdomen and another under it, if necessary. Be careful and do not sleep with a heating pad in direct contact with the skin because doing so can burn you.

4. Avoid all lifting after the abdominal hysterectomy surgery and during the post hysterectomy period. Just ask others to do all the lifting for you.

5. Avoid dairy foods during the post hysterectomy time since dairy products will tend to cause constipation. Pain medications taken during the recovery time after hysterectomy also tend to make you constipated.

6. Avoid alcoholic beverages totally during the recovery time after hysterectomy, especially while taking medications.

7. Drink 8-10 glasses of filtered water each day to adequately flush your system of toxins which would otherwise accumulate and cause discomfort or illness. Drinking pure clear water daily is a healthy habit to continue even once you are fully recovered.

8. Eat as healthy as you can since your body needs nutrients to help with healing. Be sure and include cold-water fish, turkey, chicken, organic bread, soups, salads, fruits and broths.

9. Take the best vitamin/mineral/nutritional supplement you can find. It's not just about the vitamins and minerals. Providing your body with important nutritional supplements is a good idea before and after your abdominal hysterectomy to help fill in the dietary gaps that everyone will have.

10. Use your recovery time after hysterectomy to really take care of yourself. Listen to your favorite music, watch your favorite television programs and read your favorite books. Relax and give your body a chance to adjust and recover from the surgery.

After an abdominal hysterectomy, women will likely experience a deficiency of the critical hormones progesterone, estrogen and Testosterone. If only the uterus is removed in a partial hysterectomy, progesterone levels will fall dramatically in one to two months and estrogen levels will decrease in one or two years. Progesterone deficiency is related to numerous side effects including increased risk of developing certain kinds of cancer, including endometrial cancer. Testosterone deficiency in women causes low sex drive, low energy levels, thyroid deficiency and depression. Estrogen deficiency can result in vaginal dryness, hot flashes and night sweats.

Women considering abdominal hysterectomy or having had the procedure should seek the help of physicians trained in the use of natural bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormones are hormones that are identical to what the body makes and what normally would exist in the body. Synthetic drugs such as Premarin, Provera and Prempro are not natural nor the same as the body makes, and these kinds of synthetic drugs have numerous side effects.

There is a hormone health test provided by a leading women's health clinic that you can take online. The test takes just a few minutes and is free. Learn as much as you can about hormone imbalance, the recovery time after hysterectomy and physician-recommended natural alternatives for hormone replacement therapy.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Read more about hysterectomy recovery and alternatives for hormone replacement therapy. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of natural health articles and information.

Hormone Balancing and the Risks for Heart Disease

Risk factors for heart disease are primarily the same in women as they are in men. Smoking, high blood pressure, excessive weight, sedentary lifestyle (little or no exercise), high Homocystine levels, diabetes, high cholesterol, age and family history of heart problems all increase a woman's chances of having heart disease.

The one addition for women is HRT. Since July 2002 HRT can be considered a risk for heart disease according to the WHI study which evaluated PremPro a Premarin and Provera combination therapy which was gaining popularity with medical practitioners.

Research shows that anovulatory cycles and lowered progesterone levels occur prior to menopause. Then progesterone levels after menopause and continue to fall to close to zero. Estrogen, on the other hand, falls only 40 to 60 percent with menopause.

A woman's passage through menopause then results in a greater loss of progesterone than of estrogen. It is believed that perhaps the increase in heart disease risk after menopause is due more to progesterone deficiency than to estrogen deficiency. Dr. John R Lee author of the book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" states that in his clinical experience, lipid profiles improve when bio-identical progesterone is supplemented. The synthetic versions of progesterone called progestins or progestagens do not offer the same effects. In fact, the WHI study and more recent studies from Harvard and the UK all point to the fact that HRT- Estrogen plus a progestin increases a woman's risk for heart disease and may even contribute to heart disease.

Bio-identical progesterone on the other hand appears to increase the burning of fats for energy and, in addition, has anti-inflammatory effects. Both of these actions would be protective against coronary heart disease. Progesterone protects the integrity and function of cell membranes, whereas estrogen allows an influx of sodium and water while allowing loss of potassium and magnesium. Progesterone, a natural diuretic, promotes better sleep patterns and helps us deal with stress. When one reviews the known actions of progesterone, it is clear that many of its actions are also beneficial to the heart.

The key to reducing a woman's risk of heart disease is to maintain a balance of hormones in her body and at the same time actively pursue a program to prevent heart disease.

Steps to take would be:

1. Use a Saliva test to determine the status of estradiol and progersterone.

2. If either are deficient increase progesterone levels first using a bio-identical cream.

3. Increase Fiber in the diet and use a supplement like Fiber Source 7 which has the additional advantage of containing probiotics. High fiber diets have been shown to improve hormone levels and to assist with heart health.

4. Increase EFA's in the diet. Essential Fats promote good hormone production as well as heart health.

5. Increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables focusing on greeny leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables which contain anti oxidants and indole-3-carbinol. Taking a fruit and vegetable concentrate and an indoles supplement in addition to eating more makes sense to guarantee you are getting all the nutrients needed and to fill the gaps in your diet. 6. Using a calcium/magnesium supplement for your bones and for your heart health is often suggested in prevention programs.

We must take charge of our health. Prevention is always the best medicine. It is never too late to make lifestyle changes. Exercise, a healthy diet and the right supplements and perhaps a little hormone balancing can all ensure that we don't fall victim to the silent killer that is relentlessly stalking our heart and ultimately - our life.

This Article Is Copywright 2006 Jackie L. Harvey & Saliva Testing com

Jackie Harvey is an International speaker, radio program host, seminar leader, business trainer, and a mother of seven. She works in partnership with nurses, medical doctors and health care practitioners.

Jackie is a men & women's health advocate specializing in hormonal and menopausal health. Thousands of men & women have watched her informative DVD "Let's Talk About Hormones". Jackie is committed to making a positive change in peoples lives.

Visit SalivaTesting.com for more information Saliva Hormone Tests Kits & her Best Selling 1-hour DVD "Let's Talk About Hormones with Jackie Harvey". Click For More information on Men's & Women's Saliva Hormone Testing and Saliva Test Kits.

Osteoporosis - What can I do to Prevent it?

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. You normally don't know it until something like a fracture occurs. In reality, your bones have been loosing strength for years.

There are millions of people with osteoporosis, and the vast majority of them are women. Bone is a living tissue that consistently breaks down and rebuilds. As we enter our 40's and 50's, the rebuilding is having a hard time keeping up with the breaking down...thus a net loss.

While some of the risk factors cannot be modified (family history, small body frame size, racial/ethnic makeup, surgery (removal of ovaries) and menopause), other factors can be modified, and thus prevent or delay the onset of osteoporosis.

So what can you do?

• Eating a diet rich in calcium throughout life is important. What does that mean? Low fat dairy food, canned fish with soft bones such as salmon, dark green leafy vegetables and calcium fortified foods.



• 
  
  If you need a supplement, the current recommendations are for people over 50 to have about 1200mg per day between diet and supplementation. Studies on women with osteoporosis in nursing homes have been shown to have a reduction of fractures just from calcium and vitamin D without other interventions.



• 
  
  Vitamin D is necessary for your body to absorb the calcium. Being out in the sun for 20 minutes every day is usually sufficient. Foods that are high in vitamin D include eggs, fatty fish, cereals and fortified milk. Many calcium supplements and multivitamins have vitamin D as well. Recommendations include 400 IU of Vitamin D per day if you are less than 70 years of age, and 600 IU if you are over 70.



• 
  
  Exercise! Once again the "E" word presents itself. Weight bearing exercise actually prevents the loss of bone. The stress on bone when you walk, play tennis, jog or dance actually stimulates your bone to increase its density. Not only that, but your improved muscle strength will protect you if you should fall. Once again, the current recommendation for exercise is 30 minutes of activity daily.



• 
  
  Some medications can increase your risk for developing osteoporosis. For example steroids, some anti-seizure medications, some cancer medications, and long term use of Depo-Provera (birth control). If you take too much thyroid medication, or your thyroid glad is overactive your bone could be stimulated to break down faster. Talk with your provider to see if any modifications can be made.



• What else? Smoking, carbonated beverages and excessive alcohol have all been implicated in increasing you risk for osteoporosis. Consider eliminating, or at least reducing these habits from your life.

Recommendations:

• Get a gone density scan (DEXA). They are non-invasive and give an accurate measurement of your bone density. The heel test will only give you a ball park figure, and are not always accurate. The DEXA scan will give you a T-score which will tell you and your provider if your density is normal, if you have osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis), or osteoporosis. With that information you and your provider can decide on the best plan of action for you.



• 
  
  If you have osteoporosis, follow the treatment recommendation of your provider, incorporate the dietary and activity recommendation made here, and work to reduce your risk of falls in your home.



• 
  
  Good health practices will go a long way in preventing and treating any problems. Once again, diet and exercise play a major role in this largely preventable disease.

Women today want to live long, healthy and active lives. Prevention and early treatment of osteoporosis will go a long way towards vibrant and successful aging.

For over 26 years, Barbara C. Phillips, MN, NP has been involved in health care. Now, as the founder of OlderWiserWomen, LLC, that experience and passion is focused on Women who want to experience the freedom, magic and wisdom of successful aging. She can be reached through http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com

Alternatives for Hormone Replacement Therapy

Do alternatives for hormone replacement therapy exist? Yes! Available alternatives for hormone replacement therapy consist of two primary forms -- synthetic therapy and natural hormone replacement therapy.

The synthetic hormone replacement therapy drugs are not the same as natural hormones that occur in the body. Since substances occurring naturally cannot be patented, drug companies alter the molecular structure and create new substances that are patentable and therefore protected for business purposes. Examples are Premarin, Prempro and Provera -- these synthetic drugs are different in their molecular structure from the estrogens and progesterone found in the human body.

But alternatives for hormone replacement therapy using synthetic drugs may not treat your symptoms of menopause safely! And the problem with synthetic drugs is -- since they are different from what occurs naturally in the human body, the body treats them differently, and the result is often harmful side effects. Synthetic hormone replacement therapy risks may exceed the benefits based on numerous clinical trials such as the Women's Health Initiative studies!

On the other hand, natural alternatives for hormone replacement therapy use natural estrogen and/or natural progesterone hormones. Natural hormones are also referred to as bioidentical hormones. Using safer natural alternatives for hormone replacement therapy is recommended by numerous physicians since the body is able to receive, use and eliminate the natural hormones as needed. Most women may not need synthetic drugs with related side effects to regain health and eliminate symptoms of hormone imbalance.

The two primary hormones for a woman are estrogen and progesterone. Both are needed to function normally and for good health. In a healthy woman and normal menstrual cycle, estrogen is the main hormone produced for the first 10-12 days following the previous menstrual flow. With ovulation, the body begins producing progesterone that continues for the next 12 days or so. If pregnancy does not occur, estrogen and progesterone levels will drop at around day 28 and menstruation begins. However, if there is no ovulation, progesterone will not be produced by the body that cycle. This event is called an annovulatory cycle, and it is happens frequently today for women in their thirties and forties -- no ovulation and no progesterone.

What this means is the woman will be deficient in progesterone with an excess of estrogen, which will likely result in symptoms of hormone imbalance. Progesterone balances or opposes many actions of estrogen. Without suitable progesterone in the body, symptoms of hormone imbalance will likely be experienced. The symptoms of hormone imbalance can be signs that your body isn't getting the support it needs.

If the woman has had a hysterectomy, surgical menopause means the body produces little or no progesterone, creating hormone imbalance. And in postmenopausal women, the production of progesterone ceases as ovulation no longer happens. However, even after menopause, estrogen production will still be 40 to 60 percent of what it once was.

How does a woman know more about appropriate natural alternatives for hormone replacement therapy? One way is to work with a naturopathic doctor who is schooled and trained in both conventional medicine and natural alternative medicine. If you are currently on synthetic HRT and want to change to natural HRT, you should consult with doctors experienced in the use of natural hormone replacement therapy. Naturopathic physicians are medical doctors that work to restore and support the body's systems by using medicines and techniques that are in harmony with natural body processes. A naturopathic physician will prefer treatments which keep harmful side effects risks at a minimum.

Another way is to take the online hormone health test provided by a leading women's health clinic. The online test takes just a few minutes and is free. Find out more about your health, symptoms, what the symptoms may be telling you and what to do about it based on your answers to important questions. And read more about hormone imbalance and physician-recommended natural alternatives for hormone replacement therapy.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Read more about natural progesterone and natural estrogen alternatives for hormone replacement therapy. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of natural health articles and resources.

Menopause - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age in women. Menopause is defined as absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. The menopausal transition starts with varying menstrual cycle length and ends with the final menstrual period. Perimenopause means "around the time of menopause." It is not officially a medical term, but is sometimes used to explain certain aspects of the menopause transition in lay terms. Many women experience a variety of symptoms as a result of the hormonal changes associated with the transition through menopause. Postmenopause is the entire period of time that comes after the last menstrual period. The menopause is sometimes referred to as change of life or climacteric.

The condition also exists in some of the other species that experience such cycles, such as rhesus monkeys and some cetaceans. Menopause is a natural biological process, not a medical illness. Several generations ago, few women lived beyond menopause. Today, you may spend as much as half of your life after menopause. Menopause affects every woman differently. Your only symptom may be your period stopping. You may have other symptoms, too. Many symptoms at this time of life are because of you Menopause is a natural process that happens to every woman as she grows older, and is not a medical problem, disease or illness.

Some women may have a hard time because of the changes in hormone levels during menopause. Premature menopause (or premature ovarian failure) is defined as menopause occurring before the age of 40; it occurs in 1% of women. Other causes of premature menopause include autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, and diabetes mellitus. Menopause experiences are different among individual women, and also among women in different cultures and in different parts of the world. There are many possible signs of menopause and each woman feels them differently. Most women have no or few menopausal symptoms while some women have many moderate or severe symptoms include is weight gain; hot flashes; insomnia; night sweats; vaginal dryness; joint pain; fatigue and urinary tract infections.

Causes of Menopause

1.Perimenopause.

2.Postmenopause.

Symptoms of Menopause

1.Weight gain.

2.Hot flashes.

3.Insomnia

4.Night sweats.

5.Vaginal dryness.

6.Joint pain.

7.Fatigue.

Treatment of Menopause

Take estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is a combination of estrogen and progesterone, should be an individualized choice. There are three (3) types of replacement therapy:1. Estrogen alone via a pill (Premarin, Ogen, Estrace or ethinyl estradiol), a cream (Premarin or Dienestrol), a vaginal pill (Vagifem), or as a transdermal or skin patch (Estraderm or Estracomb). 2. Cyclical therapy: Estrogen taken daily via a pill or via a patch and a separate progesterone pill (such as Provera) for a certain number of days per month. 3. Continuous therapy: Estrogen plus low dose progesterone in one or two pills taken every day.

Estrogen vaginal tablets and creams are generally prescribed nightly for 2 weeks, and then reduced to twice per week as a long-term "maintenance therapy." Phytoestrogens are found in soy products (e.g., tofu, tempeh, miso, soybean milk, and meat substitutes and soy powders for adding to foods or to smoothies), in linseed (flaxseed) products, and to a lesser extent, in fruits, vegetables, cereals, and seeds. Concentrated plant estrogens in tablet form have not been shown to be effective. Regular exercise also has benefits for other parts of the body, high blood pressure, and diabetes, as well as gives you more energy and better sleep. Herbal medicine has much to offer women in the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause.

Sushma writes articles for health care guide.

She also writes articles for women health and health diseases.

Hysterectomy: Recovery After a Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy recovery after a hysterectomy is a crucial time in a woman's life. Recovery after a hysterectomy means a woman needs some time to adjust, to heal and to complete her hysterectomy recovery process. Here are some tips for speeding up the recovery time:

1. Your first two weeks at home will likely be the most difficult, depending on what type of hysterectomy procedure you have had. Use this time to sleep, relax, read, and listen to your favorite music until your post hysterectomy is over. At the end of two weeks, you should be more able to begin moving around and slowly getting back to your normal activities.

2. Do not climb stairs or drive a car during this hysterectomy recovery period. This is the time to let family and friends help you.

3. Do not prepare your own meals for the first couple of weeks after a hysterectomy. Ask a friend or family member to do it for you or order your meals from sources that can deliver to you.

4. Have a thermometer at home to monitor your temperature. Call your doctor for advice if your temperature goes up.

5. Laugh as much as you can. Watch funny TV programs, rent some of your favorite funny movies or share fun stories with family and friends. Laughter provides a wonderful boost to the immune system during the hysterectomy recovery healing process.

6. Drink 8 glasses of filtered water each day to flush your system of toxins after a hysterectomy. Drinking pure clear water daily is a healthy habit to continue even once you are fully recovered.

7. Eat as healthy as you can during hysterectomy recovery since your body will need and use nutrients to help with healing. Include cold-water fish, turkey, chicken, organic bread, soups, salads, fruits and broths. If possible, consume fresh vegetable juices daily which will provide nutrients that improve health and speed healing.

8. Take the best vitamin/mineral/nutritional supplement you can find. A really good daily supplement contains much more than just vitamins and minerals. Providing your body with important nutritional supplements is a good idea before and after a hysterectomy to help fill in the dietary gaps that everyone will have.

9. Begin to exercise as soon as your doctor authorizes it. Exercise will definitely speed up your post hysterectomy recovery. Take it easy but begin moving. Take walks or use your treadmill when you are home.

10. Begin to learn about your hormones, hysterectomy recovery and hormone imbalance. Having a hysterectomy will interrupt your normal production of progesterone, estrogen and Testosterone which can result in symptoms associated with hormone imbalance.

Women considering hysterectomy or having had the procedure should seek the help of physicians trained in the use of natural bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormones are hormones that are identical to what the body makes and what normally would exist in the body. Synthetic drugs such as Premarin, Provera and Prempro are not natural nor the same as the body makes, and these kinds of synthetic drugs have numerous side effects.

There is a hormone health test provided by a leading women's health clinic that you can take online. The test takes just a few minutes and is free. The women's clinic has helped tens of thousands of women safely deal with hormone imbalance and related health issues. Learn as much as you can about hormone imbalance, hysterectomy recovery and physician-recommended natural alternatives for hormone replacement therapy.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Read more about hysterectomy recovery side effects of hysterectomy and alternatives for hormone replacement therapy. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of natural health articles and information.

Are Birth Control Pills Safe?

After their introduction in the 1960s, it was noticed that women on OCPs were developing blood clots in their legs and having heart attacks and strokes at higher rates. Newer generations of OCPs came with reduced doses of hormones, which lessened the risks.

So at this point in OCP history, how safe and effective are these pills? For non-smoking women age 15-30, there is no increase in death rate for a comparable form of contraception, the IUD. Because of the health risks of pregnancy, the death rate amongst women from age 15-34 who are on the pill is actually lower than for women who do not use any form of birth control.

OCPs can be unsafe in older women smokers. They should not be used in women with a history of blood clots, untreated high blood pressure, breast or uterine cancer, migraine headaches with focal neurological symptoms, known pregnancy, liver or cardiac disease. The same side effects women experienced with early pills are still a problem for some women taking modern versions: headaches, nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, and weight gain. Your OCP should have low estradiol (less than 50 �g) to decrease the risk of blood clotting.

For young, non-smoking women without hypertension or diabetes the health benefits balance the health risks of OCPs. For these women there is no increased risk of heart attack or stroke. There is a 28% increased risk of blood clot in the leg, but since this is rare the risk than any one particular woman will get one from an OCP is still very rare. For smokers there is an increased risk with OCPs that gets worse with age. For instance, the risk of death is 1 in 200,000 per year in non-smoking women under the age of 35. However risk increases with age and smoking to 1 in 700 per year for smokers over age 35.

The risk of cervical cancer doubles after 10 years of oral contraceptive therapy in women with a history of human papilloma virus infection (HPV). It is not clear if the risk is from the OCP or the increased risk of being infected with HPV for women on OCPs who may not use barrier protection. However since the risk of getting cervical cancer is .008% in any given year a doubling of risk means increasing your risk by another .008% per year. OCPs increase the risk of liver cancer. Liver cancer, however, is rare. OCPs increase the risk of breast cancer by 10-20%.

In women of childbearing age breast cancer is rare, and any increased risk and goes away after OCPs are stopped. In addition the types of breast cancers that develop in women on OCPs are more easily treatable; therefore the overall risk from breast cancer is not increased. OCPs reduce the risks of ovarian and uterine (endometrial) cancers. OCPs reduce the risk of anemia, through reduction of iron loss in menses, pelvic inflammatory disease, and osteoporosis (since estrogen promotes the laying down of calcium in the bones).

Women who take the pill have identical fertility rates after going off the pill compared to women who never took the pill. OCPs are safe for teenage girls to use, with the exception of Depo-Provera.

Use an OCP with low doses of estradiol (<50 �g). Taking an OCP is safe for women who don't smoke. For women who are smokers over age 35, or have other reasons not to take the regular pill (e.g. history of blood clots), consider the Minipill or another all progesterone pill, or one of the alternatives to the pill.

J. Douglas Bremner, MD, is a researcher and physician and author of'Before You Take That Pill: Why the Drug Industry May be Bad for Your Health: Risks and Side Effects You Won't Find on the Label of Commonly Prescribed Drugs, Vitamins and Supplements.'

http://www.beforeyoutakethatpill.com

Free or Low Cost?

I have been asked several times where a person can get effective birth control for little or no cost. I also offer this information to anyone that is concerned about pregnancy and is not using effective birth control. In most areas there is usually at least one place where birth control can be obtained and any fees are based on the person's income.

One of the first places to look for information and birth control is your state's local Health Department Woman's Clinic. Just look in your local yellow pages under Birth Control, Health Care Facilities, or contact a local doctor for information. You can also check your white pages for a local Planned Parenthood office, but these offices are not in all areas.

Once you know what offices or clinics are in your area, you need to know what kind of birth control you want. Some of the things that you should take into consideration is how often you need to take it (daily, monthly, or longer), how spontaneous sex would be when using it, side effects that you could not deal with (spotting or bleeding between periods, lack of periods), and how easy it is to use (an injection, a daily pill, a diaphragm).

The best way to see what you want in a birth control method is to make a list of wants and don't wants similar to this one. By making a list you will be able to talk to your doctor or nurse about what method would be best for you and your lifestyle. You can use a form just like the example above here for making your own list.

Some of the forms of birth control that are available from free clinics include birth control pills, condoms, foams, IUD, Depo-Provera, Family Planning instruction and other methods depending on the clinic's size. Some large clinics will offer Norplant, diaphragm, and the cervical cap. When you call the clinic in your area, ask what forms of birth control are available, and let the person scheduling the appointment know which one(s) you are interested in.

When making the appointment, make a mental note of what day your last period started on. Depending on the method(s) that you are interested in, you should have the appointment scheduled within a few days of your next period starting, or you may need to make a second trip to the clinic within a week or so. Also depending on your modesty level, you may feel uncomfortable being examined during your period. If this is the case, talk to the person scheduling the appointment about what time during your cycle you should come in.

So, you know what you want and don't want, where the clinic is, what they offer, and you have scheduled an appointment. Now all you have to do is go to the clinic and learn how to use your method of birth control. Birth control is not effective unless used correctly. You should be sure to ask any question that pops into your head during your exam, and if you use a hormonal form of birth control, know the name of it so you can let your doctor know if you ever need any medication due to illness.

These clinics are there to help you, use them wisely.

This article was originally published at Suite101.com on October 15, 2001 and all information was current at that time.

Debbi Secaur is the mother of a fourteen year old boy and a two year old girl. She has lived in the same area of Idaho and Washington for over 30 years.

Debbi is the owner of two groups located on Yahoo that offer support and information to women and couples that are trying to conceive. She has maintained a website for the groups since 1999, and continues to expand her knowledge and understanding of infertility and fertility.

Debbi currently has three websites that she invites everyone to visit.

Birth Control - A website with all of Debbi's Birth Control articles.

TTC Dreams - A website that provides information and support for couples trying to conceive or dealing with infertility.

DJ Designs - A website offering website, ad, and newsletter design services as well as writing services at reasonable prices.

Birth Control Effectiveness: Grapefruit and Other Dangers that Lower Contraceptive Effectiveness

Do you drink grapefruit juice every morning? Have you taken St. John's wort recently? Hormonal birth control pills can interact with many other things. Find out what you are doing that might lower your birth control's effectiveness even if you didn't know.

Timing. It is important to take your birth control pill at the same time every day. Aim to take it within the same hour, if possible. This is particularly important for progestin-only pills. If you are constantly late with your pills, choose another time that is more convenient for you. Consider setting your watch to beep, or another similar reminder to help you take your pills at the right time.

Storage. Don't store your medicine someplace that is too hot or too cold. You want a place that is out of direct sunlight, such as a drawer. Heat and cold can affect different medications different ways, and often they can lower the effectiveness.

Birth control pills, like all other kinds of pills, are a type of medication. This means that you need to always inform your doctor and pharmacist of what kind of birth control you are on. This is to help you avoid any complications or bad interactions between drugs. Here are some things that interact with birth control. (For more information on how hormonal birth control works, and the risks and side effects, as well as other birth control options, visit www.theguideto-birthcontrol.com)

Some antibiotics. Rifampin, or Rifapentine is an antibiotic generally used to treat tuberculosis. Other antibiotics are generally fine when you are on the pill, however. Demeclocyclene and doxycyclene are two other antibiotics that can interfere with your birth control. Ask your doctor for other alternatives, and make sure that you get prescribed something that won't interfere with your contraceptive plan.

St. John's Wort. This is an herbal remedy that you can buy at any pharmacy. It is not prescription or over the counter. It helps combat depression. However, it also lessens the effectiveness of birth control, and as such, should not be taken without consulting a health care professional.

Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice. Grapefruit contains a compound that slows the absorption of estrogen hormones to the body. This means that it does not affect progestin-only pills.

Antifungal medications. Certain medications that are taken orally to treat yeast infections can disrupt oral contraceptives. This includes griseofulvin.

Antihistamines. There is currently a debate in the medical community if anti-allergy medications, or antihistamines can be linked to the failure of birth control.

Anticonvulsants. Many medications taken to prevent seizures can lessen the effectiveness of birth control pills. Speak to your doctor before dealing with these.

Some other drugs that might interact with your birth control include corticosteroids, bronchidilators, and certain anxiety medications. These are not entirely confirmed, so ask your health care professional about interactions.

These interactions apply to other methods of hormonal birth control as well, including the Patch, the Vaginal Ring, and Depo-Provera.

Just as your other medication can affect your birth control, remember that your birth control can also affect your other medication. Avoiding negative drug interactions is important for you on both counts, so always ask your doctor or pharmacist about drug interactions when you get a new prescription.

For more information on all types of birth control, including hormonal, barrier-based (condoms, etc) and more, visit http://www.theguideto-birthcontrol.com/hormonal_birth_control/the_pill/who_can_take_birth_control_pil/The Guide to Birth Control.

Different Methods Of Birth Control

Having a child is a big adjustment in a woman's life. Birth control methods are adopted by a woman if she feels she is not ready for a child. She has to ask herself the question, "Am I prepared to have a child? Am I ready?"

There are several methods to avoid a pregnancy. These methods can either give temporary or permanent prevention. Temporary or reversible method can be used to prevent conception without any effect on fertility. Permanent prevention is where the process is irreversible as this method involves surgery.

Types of Methods

Natural method

This method does not involve any hormonal intake or surgery. It is essential to study a woman's menstrual cycle and make efforts to watch out for signs and symptoms for ovulation. During ovulation period, sexual intercourse should be avoided as the woman is highly fertile. The egg is ready to be fertilized by the sperm. These methods can also be called as fertility awareness methods.

Withdrawal

The man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation so that the sperm does not enter the vagina. This method is however not completely effective as

The sperm can be released even before the man reaches orgasm

The man can also lose self-control and delay withdrawal

Breastfeeding

A nursing mother may not ovulate during breastfeeding. She may become fertile only 10-12 weeks after her delivery. But sometimes the nursing mother may start ovulating even before her menstrual cycle resumes. Care must be taken to have protected sex during this time.

Barrier methods

These are methods which bar the entry of the sperm into the vagina. The methods may include condoms, Female condoms, contraceptive sponge, and other doctor prescribed methods like diaphragm and cervical cap. Spermicides are also contraceptive agents which kill the sperm and do not allow any contact with the egg.

Hormonal methods

The hormones can be estrogen or progesterone. They can be taken orally, implanted into the tissue, injected, absorbed from a patch or placed in the vagina.

A nursing mother however cannot take a combination of estrogen and progesterone. She will not be able to use the patch, vaginal ring or take combination pills. Estrogen will affect the baby and also the milk supply. A nursing mother can resort to only progesterone control methods. These can be mini pills, Depo-Provera. If you don't find these methods worth the risk, you can always utilize other pregnancy prevention methods.

Intrauterine Devices

These devices are inserted by the doctors into the vagina. None of these devices affect lactation. Women can easily resort to this method after their delivery.

Permanent contraceptive methods

Surgical sterilization is permanent birth control methods where the partners have decided not to have children in future. The surgeries may be performed on the man or the woman. They include vasectomy, tubal ligation, selective tubal occlusion procedure and hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).

Abstinence

Abstinence is where the man and woman refrain from having any sexual intercourse. It is 100% effective pregnancy prevention method and there can be no fear if there is complete control over one's self.

In most cases, missing a menstrual cycle would mean that a woman is pregnant. Today many women resort to birth control to delay or prevent a pregnancy. Birth control methods like natural methods, barrier methods, hormonal methods and permanent methods are a matter of individual choice.

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB)

The treatment is for DUB is divided as follows:

Medical

1) Antifibrinolytics

These are taken during menstruation only. They work via reducing the fibrinolytic activity and have been shown to reduce blood loss by about 50 percent. These are good first line treatment as they are taken only during the symptomic period and have few side effects. A commonly used drug is tranexemic acid.

2) Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug(NSAIDS)

They work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis and could possibly reduce blood loss by 30 percent. The advantage of this drug is the usefulness in pain relieve for dysmenorrhoea. However, Madam Jaysree might not be a suitable candidate for a NSAID as she is allergic to postan.

3) Combine oral contraceptive pills

The combine OCP often induces lighter menstruation. While it has been showed to be effective in reducing menstrual flow, it's efficacy in comparison to other medical treatment for mennorhagia has not been well evaluated. Its advantage is concurrent contraceptive for pre menopausal women. Its role is limited by the complications it might cause to older patients.

4) Progestogens

These can be given continuously via the oral pill or as a depot (Implanon or depo-Provera). While effective as a treatment, withdrawal of progestogens causes withdrawal bleeding.

5) IntraUterine System(IUS)

The progesterone intrauterine device has been showed to reduce menstrual blood flow by more than 90 percent with considerably fewer side effects than systemic progestogens. Therefore, it is a highly effective alternative to both medical and surgical treatment for the treatment of menorrhagia. It also acts as a contraceptive method and compliance is not an issue with the IUS

6) Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) instillation

A newer conservative treatment includes instilling TCA into the uterine cavity. This destroys some of the endometrial tissues. This method has been shown to have similar efficacy to that of using a GnRH agonist and thus provides a new treatment technique of conservatively treating mennorhagia.

Surgical

1) Endometrial Ablation/ resection

There are various methods of choice for endometrial ablation using heat, electrical energy to cause the removal or destruction of the endometrium. This causes ammenorhoea or a lighter period. Endometrial ablation ends fertility. The main advantage of the procedure compared to hysteroscopy is reduced complication, reduced hospital stays and reduced cost. Studies also show a reduced urinary complaints after endometrial ablationresection compared to a hysteroscopy. Although surgical complications and hospital stays are lesser, the problem of leaving some endometrial tissues with malignant potential behind remains an issue.

2) Hysterectomy

This is usually considered as a last resort. However, it is a common procedure especially in women who have completed their family. This is the most effective treatment for mennorhagia, but it also have the highest complication rate.

The vaginal hysteroscopy is the preferred route of operation compared to the abdominal approach for removal of a normal size or slightly enlarged nucleus. The vagina approach has been showed to result in improved recovery rate for the patients.

Edwin Santos, MD at a public hospital with keen interest in tattoo and women healthhttp://thalassemia-treatment.blogspot.com/

Middle Age Women - Acne Be Gone!

For women who have suffered with acne since their teens and they continue to suffer through adulthood. Middle age women take heart! Acne be gone! It will be your time to finally ditch the acne. But in the meantime what causes women to deal with acne for so many years?

Hormonal imbalances are mostly responsible for acne in adult women, and God knows us women have a lot of hormone imbalances! Premenstrual, menses, pregnancy, and child birth all affect our hormones. We spend half our life on the hormone rollercoaster. And with that rollercoaster ride comes the dreaded acne.

If that's not enough oestrogen and Testosterone imbalances can easily occur from stress or medication. Something as simple as having an IUD device or taking Depo Provera, both methods of birth control, can lead to acne.

When the hormones are out of balance your body produces extra sebum which is any oily secretion of the skin. This clogs the pores and causes those dreaded zits.

Some women never have a pimple until they hit their thirties. Talk about a real shock. This usually occurs when they decide it's time to go off the pill. Birth control helps balance hormones and for many it keeps acne at bay. So it may not be that they were ever immune to acne just that it's been so long they never realized they would have pimples.

Some vitamins can also cause acne. Vitamin B supplements and Vitamin E creams are known to cause acne break outs. On the other hand taking zinc orally has shown positive effects to eliminate acne in studies.

There are other conditions that are often mistaken for acne. Conditions such as acne rosacea, keratosis, or perioral dermatitis are often confused as acne. If you are unsure what you are dealing with make an appointment to see your dermatologist.

There are three major reasons why adult women suffer from acne: the pill; antibiotics; and vitamin A.

Long term antibiotic use causes us to develop a yeast infection which lowers the body's immune system and defences which can result in acne.

Vitamin A treatments such as Retinol-A are double edge sword. Initially they can cause outbreaks, but over time they will effectively remove damaged layers of skin including acne scars, as well as get the skin to form collagen which give you younger looking skin.

Interesting by the time women reach their mid 40's they can almost be guaranteed to become acne free. It's believed that our Female hormones have mellowed some by then, and we aren't on the hormone rollercoaster anymore. This is a welcome change for many women!

If you're younger you'll just have to find an acne medicine that works and wait for your mid 40s to arrive. See there's something good about being over 40.

The main thing is not to let your acne control your life. There are plenty of treatment options to try and just persist until you find the one that works!

MD Stacener from The Acne Cure has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing valuable information to keep you beautiful and healthy. Please visit us at http://www.acnel.com/

Menopause - Heavy Bleeding

One of the symptoms of peri-menopause is heavy bleeding. Heavy bleeding is thought to be caused by lower levels of progesterone compared to estrogen during the anovulatory cycles. It can also be caused by fibroids, which are benign tumors found in the uterus. It should be checked out if it lasts for longer than a month or two or more than just slightly heavier than usual.

In terms of lifestyle changes for alleviating this symptom exercise is said to help. In addition you need to make sure you get enough iron along with drinking plenty of fluids.

For alternative treatment methods, you can try acupuncture but there are no studies that prove it will have a benefit. Herbs can be used as a treatment, specifically those that act like progesterone or increase the levels of it. Those herbs are Vitex (Chaste Tree), Lady's Mantle, Flaxseed and Wild Yam Root. Vitex was shown in studies to be effective in normalizing the hormonal cycles and increase levels of progesterone and estrogen in addition to shrinking fibroids. Lady's Mantle is used to prevent very heavy bleeding known as flooding, as is flaxseed But too much flaxseed can cause cramping, so beware. Wild Yam Root is helpful because many of the synthetic hormonal treatments are made from Wild Yam. Homeopathic remedies are lachesis, sepia, belladonna and secale. You should seek guidance on homeopathic remedies from a homeopathic practitioner.

There are several options available that involve drugs or surgery. Low doses of oral contraceptives have been show in studies to reduce blood loss by 50 percent. A IUD can be an option because it releases progesterone and is thought to work well on women with fibroids. And something as simple as ibuprofen in high doses has been shown to reduce the instance of heavy bleeding up to 40 percent. Hormones are not a very effective option. Usually after fibroids and polyps are ruled out, you will take a progesterone like Provera to stimulate a period to get your lining to shed. Lupron is another drug which can be used - puts you into a temporary menopause by inhibiting the hormones from the hypothalamus. This is usually a last option before surgery.

Sometimes heavy bleeding can be treated with a D&C, also know as dilation and curettage. Other surgical options include an endometrial ablation. 50 percent of all women that have this procedure never have another period again. As a last resort, a hysterectomy can be performed. This is a major surgery, so the decision to have one should not be taken lightly. One must consider carefully all the benefits and risks, including the decision to remove the ovaries. Usually just the removal of the uterus is enough to stop the bleeding, so unless you want to enter instant abrupt menopause, you may want to keep them - usually women will go into menopause about two years early after having the uterus removed.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Menopause