Panic Attack Or Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

Your day has been unremarkable when suddenly you experience an overwhelming sense of dread. Your heart rate begins to increase, you break into a sweat, you cannot catch your breath, your chest tightens, and you feel dizzy. You wonder, “Is this a heart attack? Is this simply anxiety? Or, have I just experienced a panic attack?”

Do Women Need Their Own "Viagra"?

On June 5, 2015, U.S. news headlines proclaimed “FDA Panel Endorses Female Viagra.” This was inaccurate, because after two denials, it was only the advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who voted favorably to recommend that the FDA approve the drug Flibanserin® in August. The FDA wants more information on side effects of the drug, including dizziness, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and the effects of alcohol. Flibanserin® is touted as a treatment for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) for premenopausal women, which is defined as the persistent lack of sexual fantasies and desire that is distressful to the individual.  An estimated 10% of women experience this distress, which is why these headlines caught most people’s attention.

Matters of the Heart

As they age, men and women differ in one of the most significant aspects of life—matters of the heart. No, not the emotional side of the heart, but the physical side of heart health. For many women in the United States, menopause presents a range of recognized symptoms including hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings, and vaginal pain and dryness on intercourse. These changes can affect quality of life but seldom are lethal. More insidious are risks of breast cancer and osteoporosis. Yet, heart disease is THE leading cause of death among women in America.

What Does Estrogen Have To Do With Belly Fat?

No one likes belly fat since it usually is a reflection of overall elevated weight. Phrases like “pot belly,” “beer belly,” or “apple shaped” impact both our self‐image and our relationship to others. While genetics definitely has some effect, evolutionary forces are also at work here. Does the pattern of fat deposition suggest additional health risks? Why do women seem to preferentially gain belly fat during menopause?

Clarifying The Terms "Bioidentical Hormones" And "Compounded Hormones"

The terms “bioidentical hormones,” “compounded hormones,” and “compounded bioidentical hormones” often are used improperly in conversations between care providers and patients. But the fact that these medications even exist is a tribute to the evolving story of hormone development.