Women's Health News and Research

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Microsoft launches MSN Health & Fitness

The Microsoft network of Internet services today launched MSN Health & Fitness, a comprehensive online destination for people looking to improve their well-being with up-to-date and easy-to-access information.

4 Jan 2005

Low-dose diuretic therapy for most patients with hypertension recommended

Patients with high blood pressure who take calcium channel blockers and diuretics have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) death compared to patients who take beta-blockers plus diuretics, according to a study in the current issue of JAMA.

16 Dec 2004

Interactive talking books delivered to Afghanistan

The United States Department of Health and Human Services has announced the delivery of thousands of interactive women's health books built with the LeapPad learning system technology to Afghanistan and an additional $6 million in aid to improve the health of the Afghan people.

13 Dec 2004

Two recent studies are souring milk's image among health authorities

Two recent studies are souring milk's image among health authorities. One, published in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that women who consume two or more glasses of milk a day have twice the risk of a certain form of ovarian cancer than those who rarely or never consume milk.

6 Dec 2004

FDA approval of cream to treat bacterial vaginosis

KV Pharmaceutical Company has announced that it has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market Clindesse (clindamycin phosphate) Vaginal Cream, 2%, a single-dose prescription cream therapy indicated to treat bacterial vaginosis ("BV").

3 Dec 2004

New study shows significant improvements in self-reported pelvic pain and depression after hysterectomy

Gynecologists have long been concerned at the lack of data on whether or not women with pelvic pain and or depression before hysterectomy improve in these symptoms after surgery.

10 Nov 2004

Western diet linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in women

The "Western" diet -- one especially high in red and processed meats and refined grain -- once again appears to be a culprit in women's health -- this time linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in women, according to a study released today in the November issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

8 Nov 2004

Obesity could more than double an older woman's risk of acute myelogenous leukemia

A study from the University of Minnesota Cancer Center indicates that overweight and obesity could more than double an older woman's risk of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), an often fatal cancer of the bone marrow and blood.

8 Nov 2004

Hormone therapy findings suggest a complex relationship between marketing, scientific evidence and prescribing patterns

Pharmaceutical companies slashed their promotional spending for hormone therapies by more than a third following reports in July 2002 of health risks associated with the drugs, but within the year they beefed up their marketing efforts to promote lower-dose forms of the medications

1 Nov 2004

Gel significantly increases sexual activity in surgically menopausal women

BioSante Pharmaceuticals today announced the presentation of new Phase II clinical data on LibiGel™ (transdermal testosterone gel) at the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

1 Nov 2004

New insights into hormone therapy show when estrogen best aids brain

New hormone therapy studies demonstrate estrogen's ability to directly stimulate neurons, repair damaged neurons, and stimulate support cells—most of which can alleviate some of the cognitive decline associated with menopause.

28 Oct 2004

Leading endocrinologist supports RMIT menopause research

Leading endocrinologist Dr Helena Teede has joined the research team of an RMIT University study that might shed light on the treatment of menopausal symptoms using herbal medicines.

21 Oct 2004

Mycophenolate mofetil is effective for managing symptoms of the most common type of lupus

Mayo Clinic investigators have found that the medication mycophenolate mofetil is effective for managing symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common type of lupus, for patients whose SLE does not affect the kidneys.

18 Oct 2004

Progestin in hormone therapy could dramatically affect heart attack severity

“One type of hormone therapy limited heart muscle damage to only 5 percent while another resulted in permanent damage to 35 percent of muscle,” said J. Koudy Williams, Ph.D., lead investigator, from Wake Forest Baptist. “If we can learn more about this mechanism we might be able to identify better hormone therapies for postmenopausal women.”

10 Oct 2004

Possible links between premenstrual syndrome, a woman's Body Mass Index and whether or not she uses hormonal contraceptives

Initial findings show most women recorded some problems in the days leading up to their period, with 21 per cent of the sample studied suffering with two or more symptoms. In addition, the chances of having symptoms are more likely for heavier women with a higher BMI and less likely for women using hormonal contraception such as the Pill or the contraceptive injection.

8 Oct 2004

Women who take the hormone therapy estrogen plus progestin have double the risk for venous thrombosis

Mary Cushman, M.D., M.Sc., of the University of Vermont, Colchester, Vt., and colleagues examined the effects of postmenopausal hormone therapy on VT in the presence of other thrombosis risk factors, such as age and obesity.

5 Oct 2004

New technique to treat condition called funnel chest, or pectus excavatum

Children and teenagers who suffer from a condition called funnel chest, or pectus excavatum, in which the chest wall becomes caved-in, now have a safe, effective and simpler surgical alternative to correct the condition, according to an article in a recent issue of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

4 Oct 2004

Researchers investigate whether hormone therapy and two alternative herbal products can lessen memory in menopausal women

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago are investigating whether hormone therapy and two alternative herbal products can lessen memory and other cognitive problems experienced by menopausal women.

4 Oct 2004

FDA to highlight benefits and risks of hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is implementing a nationwide information campaign to raise awareness about the resources available to address questions related to the benefits and risks of hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms.

29 Sep 2004

THC in marijuana may block the spread of forms of cancer causing herpes viruses

The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report.

22 Sep 2004