Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

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 is no one answer to treating "menopausal depression". Restoring hormones (HRT) and SSRI antidepressants have both been shown to help with depression in mid-life women. There are other things that have bee... continue reading  about  What is the more appropriate way to treat menopausal depression, hormone replacement or SSRIs?

About 15-20 percent of women continue to have menopausal symptoms long after menopause, although they should diminish in intensity with time. There have been many research studies on non-estrogen treatments for... continue reading  about  I'm 53 and take Mimvey for hot flashes and sleeplessness. I've tried to stop but the symptoms return. Is there a "hump" to get over before they stop? How long is HRT recommended? Also, are my electrical and heart problems due to hormones? Can HRT help?

This is a common question from anyone who has had a heart attack or has been diagnosed with a heart problem. The Scientific Journal, Circulation, reported on thousands of patients with coronary artery disease w... continue reading  about  How do I know if my heart is healthy enough for sex?

Many women experience joint and muscle pain and stiffness around the time of menopause that they hadn't experienced before. Because there are estrogen receptors all over the body, including the joints, declinin... continue reading  about  How does menopause affect the joints and muscles in your body?

That's a good question, as we usually are focused on cholesterol levels that are too high. Our cells and body depend upon cholesterol for healthy functioning. There are genetic, metabolic and dietary factors th... continue reading  about  We hear about high cholesterol, but can someone have cholesterol numbers that are too low?

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?

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."

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?