All Posts tagged top obgyn in wny

What is hormone replacement therapy?

By 17 Jul, 2014 Menopause, Women's Health , , , ,

ID-100264364Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, was once called the “Elixir of Youth.” Women’s doctors gave them medications containing female hormones to replace the ones the body doesn’t make after menopause, using HRT to treat menopausal symptoms. It was also thought to help prevent heart disease and possibly dementia.

Then, large clinical trials showed health risks.

What are the current recommendations?

Doctors no longer prescribe hormone therapy for heart disease or memory loss prevention. However, further research and new evidence show that hormone therapy may be a good choice for certain women, depending on their risk factors.

Who should consider hormone therapy?

The benefits of hormone therapy may outweigh the risks if you’re healthy and:

  • Experience moderate to severe hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms
  • Have lost bone mass and either can’t tolerate or aren’t benefitting from other treatments
  • Stopped having periods before age 40 (premature menopause) or lost normal function of your ovaries before age 40 (premature ovarian insufficiency)

Why? Because women who experience early menopause, particularly those who had their ovaries removed, have a higher risk of:

  • Coronary heart disease
  • Earlier death
  • Parkinsonism (Parkinson’s-like symptoms)
  • Dementia
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Sexual function concerns

Who should avoid hormone therapy?

Women with current or past history of breast, ovarian or endometrial cancer, blood clots to the legs or lungs, stroke or liver disease should not take hormone therapy. Smokers should also not take hormone therapy.

If your menopause symptoms started after age 45 and are not bothersome, you shouldn’t need hormone therapy to stay healthy. There are other strategies you can follow to reduce the risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

If you use hormone therapy, how can you reduce risk?

Work with your doctor to:

  • Find the best product and delivery method for you. You can take estrogen in the form of a pill, patch, gel, or vaginal cream, ring or suppository.
  • Minimize the amount of medication you take. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time needed to treat symptoms.
  • Have regular screenings such as mammograms and pelvic exams and keep in touch with your health care provider to ensure that the benefits of hormone therapy continue to outweigh the risks.
  • Make healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and managing chronic health conditions such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Your age, type of menopause and time since menopause began play a significant role in the risks associated with hormone therapy. Educate yourself and talk with your doctor about your personal risks.

At Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello, we talk to each and every patient about making the best possible choices for their health. If you’d like to work with a practice that cares, please call any time.

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net.

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Planning to Get Pregnant?

By 22 Jan, 2014 Pregnancy, Reproductive health, Women's Health , , , ,

runningAre you thinking about trying to have a baby? Before you take that leap, take the time to evaluate your current health and habits. Taking care of your body and your health before you try to get pregnant will not only help you get pregnant. It can also improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy and baby. How?

1.  Visit Your Doctor

Tell your doctor your plans, so the two of you can discuss your personal and family health histories and any medical conditions you currently have that could affect a pregnancy, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), diabetes, thyroid disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), seizure disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis or eating disorders. You’ll need to review which medicines you’re currently taking, vaccinations that you might need, and steps you can take before pregnancy to prevent certain birth defects. If you’ve been pregnant before, the two of you can go over any previous pregnancy-related problems.

2.  Quit Birth Control

This one sounds like a given, but depending on what form you use, you may need some time. If you use an IUD, your doctor will need to remove it. If you take the Pill or use Depo-Provera, you might not ovulate for month. Give your body time to adjust and restart its own monthly cycle.

3.  Take 400 Micrograms of Folic Acid Every Day

Folic acid is a B vitamin. You’ll want to have enough folic acid in your body for at least 1 month before pregnancy, then during pregnancy, to help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.

4.  Stop Drinking Alcohol, Smoking, and Using Street Drugs

If you smoke, regularly drink alcohol or use street drugs, be honest with your doctor. These habits can cause many problems during pregnancy for you and your baby, such as premature birth, birth defects and infant death. Your doctor can help you quit, or find someone who can.

5. Avoid Toxic Substances and Contaminants

Both at work and at home, stay away from potentially harmful materials like synthetic chemicals, fertilizer, bug spray and cat or rodent feces (have someone else clean the litter box or do your weeding). Any of these substances can hurt your reproductive system and make it more difficult to get pregnant. And exposure to even small amounts during pregnancy, infancy, childhood, or puberty can lead to diseases.

6. Maintain a Healthy Weight

If you are overweight or obese, you run a higher risk for many serious conditions, including pregnancy complications, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. If you are underweight, you’re also at risk for serious health problems. If you are underweight, overweight, or obese, talk with your doctor about ways to reach and maintain a healthy weight before you get pregnant.

Once you are pregnant, be sure to keep up all of your new healthy habits and get regular prenatal care from your doctor.  If you have any questions about planning a pregnancy or are newly pregnant, please call Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello. Your health is our top priority!

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