Women's Health News and Research

RSS

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

29 percent of California women mistakenly believe a cold or flu should be treated with an antibiotic

Illustrating the extent of Americans’ lack of knowledge about antibiotics, 29 percent of California women queried mistakenly believe a cold or flu should be treated with an antibiotic, according to results of a survey being presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

20 Sep 2004

Too much TV leads to higher risk of obesity for young black girls

Too much television and too few recreational opportunities mean not enough physical activity and a higher risk of obesity for young black girls, a new study says.

10 Sep 2004

Higher body mass index has a stronger association with diabetes than physical inactivity

Researchers have found that a higher body mass index (BMI) has a stronger association with development of diabetes than does physical inactivity, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA.

8 Sep 2004

Blacks and whites have similar amounts of coronary calcium deposits, which are a sign of atherosclerotic plaques

In contrast to earlier studies that indicated African-Americans tend to have lower amounts of atherosclerosis than whites, despite having higher cardiovascular death rates, heart scans in a large, representative population indicate that blacks and whites have similar amounts of coronary calcium deposits

1 Sep 2004

New York Judge strikes down federal abortion ban

Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA) has applauded the New York court ruling issued today in National Abortion Federation (NAF) v. Ashcroft, a lawsuit challenging the federal abortion ban passed by Congress last October and signed by President Bush. Today's ruling invalidates the ban.

26 Aug 2004

Evidence of pelvic floor nerve injury after routine vaginal birth

Women with pelvic floor disorders suffer from urinary and fecal incontinence as well as prolapse of the bowel, bladder and reproductive organs. (Bowel prolapse occurs when the bowel slips out of place, and pushes up against the walls of the vagina, which may cause a great deal of discomfort.)

20 Aug 2004

Adolescent girls that have been physically coerced into sexual intercourse are more likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease

Adolescent girls who say they have been physically coerced into sexual intercourse are more likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease, according to a new study published in the journal Women’s Health Issues.

17 Aug 2004

Benefits from short-term hormone therapy are likely to outweigh the risks

A group of prominent experts on treatment of the menopause today issued advice for doctors on the use of hormone therapy.

13 Aug 2004

Link between short-term hormone therapy (HT) and improvements in life quality for women with menopausal symptoms

An article in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine explains how a computer based simulation model has found a link between short-term hormone therapy (HT) and improvements in life quality for women with menopausal symptoms. The article also points out that short-term hormone therapy may actually shorten life expectancy.

10 Aug 2004

Fathers Support Breastfeeding campaign

On August 5, the Office of Minority Health at the Indiana State Department of Health will launch its "Fathers Support Breastfeeding" campaign by hosting the first of six meetings of a support group for fathers in Indianapolis.

5 Aug 2004