Women's Health

Most of the studies on the use of fertility drugs have examined hormonally sensitive tumors such as breast, ovarian and uterine malignancies. There does not appear to be any association between fertility drugs ... continue reading  about  Is a woman undergoing fertility treatments at higher risk of getting cancer than a woman of the same age who has not taken these drugs?

Symptoms of PMS arise as a response to hormonal fluctuations. Many women can continue to experience symptoms of PMS (and even feel like they are cycling) if the ovaries are not removed at the time of a hysterec... continue reading  about  Why do I still have PMS every month even though I've had a full hysterectomy? I thought the days of irritability, depression, and bloating would be gone since it's been four years since the surgery. I've talked to three doctors but they can't explain it.

Before you make any decisions, make sure that other possible causes of pelvic pain have been adequately evaluated by your doctor, including your bladder, gastrointestinal system, and pelvic floor muscles. Fibro... continue reading  about  I have several small fibroids that sometimes cause me pain. How severe does it need to be to consider doing something about it?

Some serious and not-so-serious medical conditions have fingernail manifestations. Examples include psoriasis and endocarditis. The serious illnesses would have other symptoms that are not subtle. Things like p... continue reading  about  My fingernails curve deeply underneath as they grow. My doctor says "Don't worry about it, just keep cutting them short". I don't think this is a correct answer or approach, and that it could be a serious condition or lack of some element(s) in my body.

The experience of going through menopause is extremely variable. Some women breeze through it with little or no troubling symptoms, others are made miserable by hot flashes, sleep disturbance, heavy menstrual p... continue reading  about  I had surgery to have my uterus taken out because of a large fibroid. I don't have periods anymore, and have not had any since my surgery in 2011. How will I know when I am actually in menopause? I turned 50 in May.

Melasma is typically caused in women by exposure to estrogens. For this reason, any hormone replacement you are taking that contains estrogen can contribute, so I would refrain from using estrogens. Also, the h... continue reading  about  I'm 53 and in menopause. Since perimenopause, my melasma has returned. I had it my 30s due to birth control pills. I'm using TriLuma and am fanatical about sunscreen. I'm Asian and dermatologists have told me laser or other procedures might worsen it.

Menopause can cause exacerbation of different symptoms for different women. Though there is no direct medical connection with vertigo and menopause, it is possible that there is some effect of hormonal fluctuat... continue reading  about  Is vertigo tied to menopause? Also, I'm taking 1000 mcg of biotin for my hair and nails and noticing that I have more intense hot flashes. Does biotin increase hot flashes?

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?

Welcome to life in your 40s! A lot of changes can and do happen. My first recommendation is to see a gastrointestinal doctor or nurse practitioner. Stomach aches and bloating often occur with irritable bowel sy... continue reading  about  Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.