Our Medical Blog
Research
The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) is the largest study to date on the risks versus the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It was stopped three years early on July 9, 2002. This made headlines across the world because the study was stopped early due to...
Thyroid
The thyroid gland is a bi-lobed gland that is found on both sides of the trachea (windpipe). It is responsible for producing the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These thyroid hormones control metabolism. They also regulate body temperature and...
DHEA/Pregnenolone
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is produced by the adrenal glands. DHEA is the most abundant hormone in the bloodstream. It peaks at approximately age 25, and after that we lose approximately 2% per year. The majority of testosterone in a woman comes from the peripheral...
Testosterone
Half of the testosterone produced in women is made by the ovaries; the other half comes from the adrenal glands. Testosterone is important for maintaining muscle mass, strength, and endurance. It is important for proper vitality and energy levels. Adequate...
Progesterone
Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary after ovulation and by the placenta during pregnancy. After ovulation (approximately day 14), the corpus luteum starts producing progesterone. The corpus luteum is the remainder of the egg left behind in the...
Estrogen
The three main estrogens produced by the human body are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). Estrone accounts for 10% of the circulating estrogen in a reproductive female. Estradiol and estrone can be converted to one another in the body by enzymes. In...
Hormones
Hormones are produced by endocrine glands throughout the body. Hormones are chemical messengers that circulate through the bloodstream and regulate activities in all tissues within our bodies. All hormones are derived from cholesterol; enzymes convert cholesterol into...
Supplements
SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine) is a combined product of ATP and methionine. It is not a vitamin because the body produces all that it needs. In order to produce SAMe the body needs adequate levels of methionine, folate and vitamin B12. As a supplement it is used...
Stress / Anxiety
Unfortunately stress is a big part of a women’s life and it can have negative effects on health. Like depression, women suffer from anxiety much more than men. In addition to having a career, women are usually responsible for taking care of the children, cooking and...
Sleep Disorders
Lack of sleep can affect your health, just like lack of exercise and unhealthy eating. The body rejuvenates, repairs cells, and produces natural killer cells in deep stages of sleep. The body produces antibodies during sleep, which enable us to fight off infections....
Perimenopause
The menstrual cycle is, on average, 28 days and basically involves fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels. Day one of the cycle is the first day of menstruation when estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest levels. I have never understood why doctors check...
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones”. Osteoporosis is when the holes within the honeycomb matrix of the inner bone become larger, making the bone fragile. The world Health Organization defines osteoporosis as bone density that is 2.5 standard deviations below...
Nutrition
It is amazing that thoughts on nutrition are constantly changing. For years we have known what foods are healthy or unhealthy. Scientists have known since the 1960’s that the saturated fat in red meat and dairy products can raise cholesterol and lead to coronary heart...
Menopause
The average age of menopause is 51. Approximately 42 million women in the U.S. are menopausal. Because ours is an aging population, each year a higher percentage of the population is menopausal. Approximately 4900 U.S. women enter menopause each day. The age of...
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women. More women die secondary to heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. One out of every three women will develop heart disease and half of a million women will die from it annually. In comparison, forty...
Headaches
The most common headaches are classified as migraine or tension-type. The cause of headaches is not completely understood, especially why certain people have a higher predisposition toward getting them. Women are three times more likely to suffer from chronic...
Exercise
Exercise is important for everyone, even if weight loss is not an issue. It is important for maintaining cardiovascular health, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. Exercise lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, and...
Depression
The Depression Epidemic: Why More People Than Ever Are Suffering It's no secret that rates of depression are on the rise. In fact, studies show that depression has increased by a staggering 33% since 2013. While depression is often thought of as something that only...
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, representing 32% of the cancers in women. One in eight women in their lifetime will develop breast cancer. In the U.S. there are 180,000 new cases of breast cancer annually. Fortunately the five-year survival rate...
Health
Prevention of disease is the goal for everyone. Women account for two-thirds of all health care expenses. Women need an annual exam yearly. This exam includes a breast exam, PAP smear, and a bimanual exam to evaluate the size of the uterus and ovaries. Blood pressure...
Pap Smear
Pap Smears – An Uncomfortable Life Saver! Most women dread getting a pap smear. It's an awkward and uncomfortable procedure. But did you know that a pap smear can save your life? Find out why pap smears are important and how they can detect early signs of cancer. What...
Stress
The Dangers of Stress and How to Avoid Them We all know what it feels like to be stressed. Whether it's from work, family, or school, stress is inevitable. But what you may not know is if stress isn’t managed, it can negatively impact your health. In this article,...
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy - Why It’s a Lifesaver Getting a colonoscopy isn’t anyone's favorite thing to do. However, it’s a necessary procedure that can literally be a lifesaver. Here's everything you need to know about colonoscopies and why they are so important. What Is a...
Cognitive behavior therapy
CBT for Insomnia: A Promising Treatment for a Common Problem If you've ever struggled to fall asleep or stay asleep, you're not alone. According to the National Sleep Foundation, “between 10% and 30% of adults struggle with chronic insomnia, and…between 30% and 48% of...