Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

You say you have recently lost desire so I am assuming the sexual relationship was a good one previously. Any sudden loss of libido should be evaluated medically. Hormone imbalance, depression, weight changes o... continue reading  about  I have recently lost all desire to be intimate with my partner. I sometimes feel it to be repulsive. I do find him attractive, but the thought of sex or even just kissing him makes me freak out.

Almost 2/3 of women complain of memory impairment during menopause and after childbirth when hormones are in flux. This "brain fog" is common and likely is influenced by estrogen. We do have estrogen receptors ... continue reading  about  Could the hormonal changes I'm experiencing during perimenopause be affecting my memory? I've heard a lot of references to "meno-fog."

Peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage, usually in the hands and feet. The patient often experiences numbness and tingling and even a painful or burning sensation. This nerve damage can affect one nerve o... continue reading  about  How does diabetes impact peripheral neuropathy in its early stages?

There are hundreds of different brands and formulations of progesterone cream. It is considered a "nutraceutical" and is not controlled or regulated by the FDA. You can purchase progesterone creams through the ... continue reading  about  Is it safe for me to use Pro-G-Yam progesterone cream for hot flashes? I have a family history of breast cancer. Is progesterone the same as estrogen?

The "bulletproof coffee" trend is a new fad, and presented as a way to gain energy, stay mentally sharp, avoid morning hunger AND lose weight. However, there is no scientific merit to the claims being made. The... continue reading  about  I heard about “bulletproof coffee” – adding butter or another fat into your morning coffee. Are there really benefits?

The body regulates the blood calcium levels through complex mechanisms. Low calcium can be supplemented with vitamins and eating calcium-rich foods and dairy. High calcium, however is never from any specific fo... continue reading  about  My calcium level is high. What foods do I need to cut down on? What about dairy products, orange juice, fortified cereal and eggs, which I thought were good for me? I'm on Tamoxifen and have been through chemo. Does that contribute to high calcium?

There is truly an epidemic of soft drink consumption in our country, and your husband needs to cut down or cut out his substitution of soft drinks for healthy beverages. The fact that your husband is drinking s... continue reading  about  What are the health risks from not drinking water? My husband is terribly addicted to soda and any other drink that is not plain water. He drinks about a 1/2 cup of plain water a day.

You did not mention how long you have been on the Norco but if it is a few weeks or even a month there should be no physical withdrawal from stopping it. You may have well controlled pain because you are taking... continue reading  about  I've been taking Norco for post-surgery pain. I'm feeling much better now and wonder how long I should take to go off of the pills? I've been taking three a day and I'm afraid of withdrawals.

The medical name for "shingles" is varicella zoster. It comes from the chickenpox virus that can lay dormant for years after exposure. As we get older it is more likely the virus will reappear and cause a painf... continue reading  about  I am a woman (59) and I have been hearing that one out of three people get shingles. I was wondering if I should get a vaccination. Am I insured for this, if not, how much does this shot cost?