From the category archives:

In the News

Women’s Health After Hormones: A Follow-up to the WHI Study

by Wendy on March 5, 2008

Female symbol

Researchers at the University of North Carolina have concluded that the risk for cardiovascular disease posed by hormone use in menopause, seems to fade after women stop taking the synthetic hormones, estrogen and progestin. However, there may be a small, increased risk of other cancers. [click to continue…]

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The FDA vs. Compounding Pharmacies vs. Wyeth: Act II

by Wendy on February 15, 2008

Pill vialPill vial 

Last month, I wrote about the FDA’s action restricting certain compounding pharmacists from dipsensing bio-identical hormones containing estriol - a form of estrogen.  Wyeth, the biggest seller of prescription menopause hormones (Premarin and Prempro), had petitioned the FDA  in April, 2006, to take this action complaining that many compounders make false claims about the drugs’ safety.  The FDA says the two actions aren’t linked, but I say, what a coincidence! [click to continue…]

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Why the “Sunshine” Vitamin is so Important for Menopausal Women

by Wendy on February 13, 2008

Vitamin DVitamin D Bottles 

 

Vitamin D is one of 13 vitamins our bodies need to function properly, according to the American Dietetic Association. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and helps deposit these minerals in bones and teeth to make them strong. It’s so important to our well-being that a group of prominent scientists have formed The Vitamin D Council, a non-profit organization with a mission to educate the public and professionals about Vitamin D deficiency and its numerous associated diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, depression). [click to continue…]

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Flax Seed for Hot Flashes?

by Wendy on February 11, 2008

Flax SeedFlax Seed

I mentioned several weeks ago that I had begun a daily regimen of Black Cohosh, Flax Seed and Fish Oil.  I’m happy to report that the hot flashes that I had been experiencing for more than a year have completely stopped.  Based on everything I’ve read, I  attributed this to the Black Cohosh, while the Flax Seeds have undoubtedly benefited me in other ways.  But a new study suggests that it could have been the flax seed after all.  [click to continue…]

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It All Starts with a Good Night’s Sleep

by Wendy on January 25, 2008

Woman SleepingWoman sleeping 

Of all the symptoms of menopause that women complain about, hot flashes and sleep disturbances are among the most common and I seem to have licked both with a daily dose of Black Cohosh. Or is it the Gaba that’s doing the trick? [click to continue…]

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Is the FDA looking out for Women or Wyeth? A Physician’s Point of View

by Wendy on January 21, 2008

Marsha Nunley M.D.I recently had an opportunity to interview Dr. Marsha Nunley, a San Francisco-based physician, about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and her opinion about the FDA’s recent action against certain compounding pharmacies. She made several compelling points that I want to share with you on this blog. [click to continue…]

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Does a Daily Dose of Fish Oil Really Help?

by Wendy on January 14, 2008

Fish Oil CapsulesFish Oil CapsulesFish Oil Capsules

Between the two tablespoons of flax seed and the four tablets of strawberry-flavored fish oil I take daily, I ingest four grams of Omega 3 fatty acids every day not counting what’s in the fortified foods I eat throughout the day.  But is this really doing anything for me? [click to continue…]

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About Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy - From the FDA

by Wendy on January 11, 2008

For an explanation of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) — a term that the FDA does not recognize — and the issues that led to the FDA’s action this week against certain compounding pharmacies, see the agency’s latest update, “Bio-Identicals: Sorting Myths from Facts.”

What is your point-of-view on BHRT? Has it made a difference for you?

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Is the FDA Looking Out for Women or Wyeth?

by Wendy on January 10, 2008

The FDA announced that it will be “cracking down” on pharmacies that sell customized hormone mixtures prescribed by physicians to alleviate menopause symptoms. This is the latest move in an ongoing debate over the growing use of “compounded” hormone products. [click to continue…]

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Exercise Doesn’t Alleviate Hot Flashes After All

by Wendy on January 3, 2008

Contrary to what we’ve read (and hoped was true), exercise is not a cure for hot flashes, according to a study whose results were just published in the January issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.  Researchers had hoped to prove that exercise could be an alternative to HRT for women suffering from hot flashes, but apparently, it’s not that simple.  [click to continue…]

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