The negative effects of a history of childhood abuse are related to mental illness, cardiovascular disease, premature mortality and other chronic illnesses in adulthood and reported in multiple studies across the span of the last twenty plus years. How childhood mistreatment relates to the menopause transition is less explored. The recent study tested whether childhood […]
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Direct and indirect physical, physiological and other stressors may generate psychological stress that affects female reproductive health by influencing ovarian physiology and reproductive hormones.[1] The increase in the stress hormone cortisol may reduce estradiol biosynthesis in the ovary.1, [2] High levels of stress for a longer time period may result in amenorrhea, anovulation and menstrual […]
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are among the most frequent infectious disease throughout the world and are defined as infectious organisms which are transmitted between sex partners. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 19 million cases are reported each year with more than 20 different STIs. [i] HPV is one of the most […]
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal condition that affects the metabolic and reproductive physiological functions of a woman’s system. It is associated with a multitude of symptoms and issues and includes: irregular menstrual cycle, reduced fertility, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity, hyperandrogenism (hirsutism, acne, hair loss) and skin discolorations. Conventional medicine typically offers anti-androgenic […]
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) issues include 2 out of the following 3: 1) oligo-ovulation/anovulation (usually experienced as menstrual bleeding irregularities 2) Hyperandrogenism (includes acne, excess body hair, hair thinning on scalp, elevated serum androgens 3) polycystic ovaries on a pelvic ultrasound. The etiology and pathogenesis of PCOS are complicated but we do know the dominant […]
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Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumor of the uterus and their incidence increases over the reproductive years until menopause. Uterine fibroid tissue is made up of smooth muscle cells in the myometrium and are hormonally dependent on estrogen and progesterone and because of this, are the most symptomatic in the years prior to […]
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Dysmenorrhea, also called menstrual cramps is one of the most common problems in menstruating women. There are two types of dysmenorrhea: Primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea includes lower abdominal/uterus/pelvic pain during the menses and in the absence of any known pelvic pathology. On the other hand, secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by a disorder in the […]
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Hot flashes and/or night sweats, collectively called vasomotor symptoms (VMS), are the most common symptom of perimenopause/menopause. The average duration of VMS is about 7 years, so more options to address this frequently significant symptom, are always welcomed. While VMS can come in all sizes and shapes, varying from mild to severe and infrequent to […]
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