Articles filed under 'WOMEN'S HEALTHCARE'
Buried in the basin, the ovaries are difficult to examine. Thus, cancers affecting them are often discovered late. If improvements are to provide treatment, the prognosis remains closely linked to early care.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth largest female cancers in US, with 4,000 new cases per year. But his prognosis remains very bleak as it is often discovered at a late stage. Panorama from an unknown disease.
Ovarian cancer is relatively uncommon. All too often discovered at a late stage, this cancer is difficult to treat. As it is detected late, ovarian cancer has a fairly bleak prognosis. Each year, 3,800 Americans die from that cancer. The survival rate of ovarian cancer is just over 30% in 5 years, while for breast cancer, it is about 75%.
Few women are genetically predisposed to ovarian cancer. Genetic factors were responsible for 5 to 10% of cancers of the ovary. Between 160 and 320 women are suffering from a hereditary cancer of the ovary annually. Family mutations of certain genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 rarely, are known to predispose strongly to this cancer, with an earlier age (before age 50). Alteration of these genes is also responsible for predisposition to breast cancer.
Without benefiting from screening test, ovarian cancer has long been nicknamed the silent killer because symptoms are supposed to appear at an advanced stage of the disease. But the results of a recent study could detect that kind of cancer more quickly.
Early detection is an incredible challenge: 70 to 90% of women with ovarian cancer detected at a primary stage are still alive five years after diagnosis against only 20 to 30% of those whose cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage. And unfortunately, the second scenario is more often met … Some figures show awareness of this scourge, female: 4,488 new cases and 3,508 deaths directly linked to the disease in the year 2006
Characteristic symptoms: Beware of the trio!
Researchers have followed 1,408 women who were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire about symptoms experienced with the previous year. Among the proposed events can include pelvic pain, abdominal, low back pain, the urge to urinate, constipation, weight loss, unexplained, and so on. The severity, duration and frequency of these signs were also informed. The same procedure was conducted on 128 women awaiting surgery for pelvic tumors, including ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is no longer the silent undetectable killer . Even women with cancer at preliminary stages have signs. Paying attention to certain symptoms (or rather their frequency or severity), it may be possible to react in time!
The diagnosis of ovarian cancer is based on clinical examination, gynecological and a determination of tumor marker, supplemented by medical imaging examinations, including pelvic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. But only the surgical exploration allows a complete diagnosis of the local extension of ovarian cancer.
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
October 10th, 2009
Cancer is something that a lot of people worry about getting. If cancer is found at an early stage, then it can be taken care of. However, cancer can spread around the body, and thus, the best way to get rid of cancer is to not get it. Today we are going to talk about the five things that you should do that can help you avoid getting cancer all together. These things can help keep you safe and help keep you healthy for a long time to come.
First of all, to avoid getting cancer, you need to avoid using any kind of tobacco product. As we all already know, tobacco can cause a lot of health problems, one of which is cancer. You need to do your part in avoiding tobacco to help avoid the chance that you will ever get cancer. This is one of the most important things that you can do to avoid getting cancer. Although it may sound like it’s just a small step in preventing cancer, it is actually one of the biggest. Remember that any kind of tobacco can put you on the course to getting cancer.
The next big way to avoid getting cancer is to watch what you eat. There are certain things that you can do that the American Cancer Society recommends to help keep from getting cancer. First, make sure that you eat five or more servings of fruits or vegetables each day. Things that are whole grain are always best for you and can really help you avoid getting cancer. You can also try eating beans, which are said to help avoid cancer as well.
Try to limit the amount of fat that you take in. When you eat meat, try eating learner meat. This can help you avoid getting cancer in your colon, stomach and other places. Last, try to only drink alcohol in moderation. They say that a little bit of alcohol can actually help you in some ways. However, drinking too much can actually cause problems down the road.
Next, you have to shoot for maintaining a healthy weight. This can be done by exercising regularly and, of course, not overeating. Try to mix up your diet, because eating a lot of meat and nothing else can increase your risk of getting cancer. It is very important that you eat your meat (because the body needs it), but also eat other things that can help keep your system clean.
Last, but not least, is skin cancer. Another way to avoid getting cancer is to avoid getting skin cancer. You can do this by protecting your skin from the sun. The sun is the number one cause of skin cancer in the world, but not the only one. You also need to avoid repeat exposure to x-rays and, of course, certain chemicals that can cause skin cancer as well. Following these steps can really help you to avoid getting cancer, and that is what this whole talk was about, helping you to keep your body safe from cancer.
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
October 8th, 2009
Modern women always have a fear of breast cancer. Whilst average woman has around 12% risk of getting affected with breast cancer, others have 85% chance of getting their life troubled with this menace. For women with high risk of breast cancer, fear is very much real, and most of them look to ways for lowering its risk.
An option, which some high-risk women considers for treating breast cancer, is prophylactic or preventive mastectomy. You may consider it, if you:
1-Are having cancers in one of your breasts and looking forward to remove the healthy breast for avoiding it to get affected too.
2-Are at high risk of breast cancer and looking forward to remove both breasts before it develops to advance and untreatable stage.
Mastectomy is a surgical procedure done for removing nearly all the tissues of your breast, where cancer may grow. This is, in no mean, a guarantee that you will not have breast cancer, as it’s impossible for taking out every bit of the tissue. However, experts have estimated that mastectomy can reduce the risk by almost 90%.
Some women find losing their breast for reducing risks of cancer to be beneficial. However, their choice cannot be clear cut. Various factors, which include women’s personal risk and their own feelings on the same, can affect the application of Mastectomy on their breasts.
Who Can Opt For Preventive Mastectomy?
You should opt for preventive mastectomy, if you know that you’re at high risk of breast cancer. You might be at high risks if:
1-You are sure that you have BRCA (breast cancer) gene change. You can find about BRCA by having a gene testing. Gene testing is generally done on women having a history of ovarian or/and breast cancer in their family.
2-You are having a history of breast cancers in your family. If any (or more than one) of your close family member (mother or sister) had breast cancer before, you are said to have a strong history. Risks are also considered high, if you are having both ovarian and breast cancer on any side of your family.
3-You are already having cancers in your breast. This means that there is a possibility of getting it on the other breast.
4-You have already been diagnosed with LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma in Situ). LCIS means that you are having abnormal cells in lobules (milk glands) of your breast. Experts classify it to be a pre-cancer or stage ‘0’ cancer. It might be increasing your risks of breast cancer. However, figures suggest that most women, who have been diagnosed with LCIS, do not get breast cancer.
5-Your chest has been exposed to radiation therapy before you were 30.
How Can I Make A Decision On Preventive Mastectomy?
Decision for having mastectomy to prevent cancer is a very personal one. To make the decision easy and right, it might help if you:
1-Consult your doctor or genetic counselors for getting a better idea of the risk involved.
2-Give consideration to your feelings. Some of us cannot imagine the thought of giving up our breasts, whereas others feel greater peace of mind covers up the loss.
3-Discuss this decision with the one, who are close to you. Suggestions from them can go a long way in helping you to decide.
However, you should always remember that it’s your body and it will always be your decision.
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
October 6th, 2009
Often referred as “baby blues”, Postpartum Depression (PPD) is experienced in some degrees by more than 50 percent of women giving birth. This type of depression can last for some time, which may vary between a few weeks to a few months.Causes behind Postpartum Depression
The body of women goes through immense hormonal changes after pregnancy and child birth and this is one of the biggest reasons behind postpartum depression. Other reason behind postpartum depression in a new mother is lack of proper sleep, as the baby is always crying and hence requires non-stop attention.
What You Can Notice During Postpartum Depression?
The period of Postpartum Depression is characterized by rapid changes in hormones of a female body. The progesterone and the estrogen levels fall dramatically within 48 hours and these gonadal steroids are very much involved in causing the depression in women.
If you are suffering from postpartum depression, you may experience difficulty in sleeping, lack the desire of eating, feel hopeless and depressed all the time. There are many ways with which you can deal your postpartum depression, but beware that the symptoms of this depression state come and go for some time.
How to Deal With Postpartum Depression Symptoms?
Sleep As Much As Possible
The first and foremost way to deal with your postpartum depression symptoms is to get sleep as much you can. This may be difficult for you, especially if you are breastfeeding throughout the whole night. Due to this, your sleep may get interrupted for every two to three hours. The best way to cope with this is to breastfeed your baby lying in your bed so that you can get some rest while breastfeeding. It is ideal for you to take naps during the daytime, as every bit of rest results in rejuvenating and energising your body.
Nourish Your Body with Proper Food
Since you just gave birth and you are breastfeeding your baby, you need to nourish your body with good and proper foods. You should have snacks all throughout the day. Always have some vegetables in your diet especially a few carrots, as they keep you energised. Remember that a poor appetite leads to increase of depression and fatigue in your body.
Stay With Family and Friends
Again, you should always be in the midst of good friends and your family. This is because having people around you can contribute in changing your mood. You get the much needed outlet to express your feelings and thoughts. This automatically reduces the chances of you getting depressed. It is recommended that in an event of postpartum depression, you keep yourself surrounded with things helping you to feel good.
Such goods things may be candles lit in your bedroom, have some soft music being played or have pictures containing happy memories of your life. These things can boost you with happy energy and make you feel good.
Apart from these, postpartum depression can also be dealt by doing significant amount of exercise, as it increases your metabolism rate. This improves the frame of your mind and health. You can also go for a walk to 10 minutes in the morning, as it can help both your body and mind.
About the Author
September 28th, 2009
The most recent of several studies involving women who had breast cancer and who also take drugs to strengthen bone shows encouraging results. The study of 1,800 women, published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved those who took hormonal therapy to block estrogen production that fuels growth in certain breast cancers. Half of the group was also given zoledronic acid, or Zometa, intravenously twice a year for three years. Women given Zometa showed a 36 percent reduction in cancer recurrences and metastases, compared to half the group who didn’t get it.
Four years later, 54 women receiving zoledronic acid and 83 who didn’t get the bone drug had a recurrence, a new cancer in the second breast, or a spreading of cancer to the bone. The question is, shouldn’t all women on hormonal therapy for breast cancer receive Zometa or a similar bone drug? Before prescribing these drugs as standard therapy, researchers plan to examine results from two other large studies now nearing completion. Women taking hormonal therapy are blocking estrogen production, which in turn can cause thinning of bones. Why not add the bone-building drugs to their anti-cancer therapies?
Cancer cells are known to interact with a type of bone cell called osteoclasts, whose role is to break down bone. Breast cancer cells sometimes migrate to the bones and stimulate osteoclasts, which in turn stimulate cancer cells. It’s a vicious cycle. But what if the cycle can be interrupted?
Drugs used to treat the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis have been shown to stop osteoclasts from releasing substances that cause bone loss. As osteoclasts stop working, they die. Other studies of bisphosphonates to prevent osteoporosis have shown in lab studies that they might have other anticancer effects. Bisphosphonates affected the ability of cancer cells to stick to surrounding tissue, to invade and grow in numbers. One of the new study’s lead researchers believes that bisphosphonates could squelch the cells that migrate to the bones and hide in marrow, thus affecting the ability of breast cancer to recur.
Researchers are also investigating whether bisphosphonates could treat cancer that has already metastasized to bone. After determining that they could, zoledronic acid and other bisphosphonates were approved for women with bone metastasis. These therapies were shown in one study to prevent further spread of cancer in bones. Zometa is approved only for bone complications of cancer and is not an official drug for osteoporosis. There is a rare but quite serious side effect, osteonecrosis of the jaw, which has been seen with bisphosphonate use. No instances have been seen in study participants, however.
Studies are still in progress to investigate whether these bone drugs used in high doses to treat cancer can prevent breast cancer from initially spreading. Results have been mixed. In research now ongoing, there is hope that zoledronic acid could add a benefit to existing breast cancer therapy to the same degree as the magnitude from chemo or hormonal therapy alone. Scientists and physicians are waiting for data from other studies. Clinical trials may have the answers in the near future.
Source: Gina Kolata; New York Times; Feb. 11, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/health/research/12bone.html?th&emc=th
blog article by Anna Dabney
February 16th, 2009
terine Cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, which actually start in the lining of the cells in the uterus. The womb or the uterus is a vital part of the reproductive system in a woman.
Type of Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer may denote various types of cancers, which occur in a woman’s uterus. Uterine sarcomas, commonly known to be leiomyosarcomas are a type of uterine cancer, which occurs in the muscular layer of a uterus. Endometrial cancer is another type of uterine cancer, which originates from the cells that are located in the glands of the uterine lining or the endometrium. Cervical cancer is a different type of uterine cancer, which is known to arise from the lower portion of a uterus. It extends to the transitional zone of a woman’s cervix and connecting to the upper part of her vagina.
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
A woman having uterine cancer can notice some common symptoms. However, they may differ from person to person depending upon the disease in consideration. Commons symptoms include painful or difficult urination, unusual discharge or vagina bleeding, extreme pain during the time of having sexual intercourse, a typical pelvic lump, abnormal weight loss, pain in the pelvic region and having never breast-fed. In fact, uterine cancer occurs rarely before menopause, during which a woman have regular menstrual periods.
It generally occurs during the time when the regular menstruation cycle stops. If a woman notices reappearance of bleeding at this stage of her life, she should immediately bring it to the attention of her general physician, as there may be a possibility of uterine cancer.
The most common symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding from a woman’s uterus after her menopause. The bleeding may be in the form of a blood streaked, watery discharge containing more blood. In some cases, a woman may experience lower abdominal pain too.
Causes behind Uterine Cancer
There are different causes of uterine cancer, which have been discovered till date. Diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovaries having prolonged anovulation, nulliparity or having borne not a single child, lack of menstruation, extended usage of tamoxifen for the treatment of breast cancers and taking unopposed estrogen without progestin are some of the valid causes of uterine cancer.
Diagnosing the Disease
Uterine cancer can be diagnosed by endometrial and endocervical sampling. Apart from these techniques, vaginal ultrasonography is also used to detect the thickness of the endometrium because increased thickness of the uterus may determine some serious cancerous change. Apart from this, the Pap test can also be an accurate way detecting uterine cancer but cannot be termed as a reliable source.
Treatment of Uterine Cancer
The treatment of uterine cancer is performed on the basis of grade and stage of the cancer. Abdominal hysterectomy is a standard therapy, which involves in the surgical removal of the woman’s uterus along with both the ovaries and fallopian tubes, washing of the abdominal cavity to determine malignant cells and the selective removal of the aortic and pelvic lymph nodes. Many doctors prefer usage of hormone therapy that removes the possibility of metastatic cancer. Again, women also opt for radiation therapy for the treatment of their uterine cancer.
Although treatment is a possibility for Uterine Cancer, still you should take immediate action after noticing the symptoms. Don’t let it reach a level from where it cannot be cured!
To Your Health!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
January 27th, 2009
An “Early Stage” breast cancer is sometimes referred as Stage 1 breast cancer. In such cases, the affected region is less than 2–2.5 centimetres in diameter. However, cancer does not spread inside the tissue of the breast. In fact, among all the women detected for breast cancer in the U.S, 63% of them suffer from “Early Stage” Breast Cancer, as it is still localized to the tissue of the breast.
Today, Breast Cancer is considered to be one of the most deadly and emotional types of cancers occurring in women. However, it should be kept in mind that it is not only women, who are at a risk of having breast cancer. Men can also have such type of cancers, but most patients are female.
Early detection increases chances of survival
If the breast cancer is an early stage one and it is properly detected and treated, the survival rate of that patient increases to a large extent. The best trick to fight breast cancer is to catch it early on and generally women can detect it by finding a typical lump in any one of their breasts. Women should immediately check out in such cases but they should not worry, as all lumps are not cancers.
Early stage breast cancer cannot always be cured, even though cancerous cells are unable to reach the lymph nodes. Women, who catch early stage breast cancer, gets treated at that point and many of them are able to enjoy life in a normal lifestyle for more than ten years. It is highly recommended for every woman to check her breasts regularly to be on the safe side, so that possible cases of breast cancers can be detected early. With proper treatment, women can enjoy high survival rates.
Symptoms of Early Stage Cancer
An early stage breast cancer can be detected on the basis of various symptoms. Some of them are unexpected abnormal changes in the anatomy & the size of the breast, appearance of the skin of the breast becomes dimpled & puckered, sudden unexpected changes in the size and shape of the nipple like the changing position and nipple being inverted. Other symptoms include abnormal discharge from the nipple, development of rash in the nipple, continuous pain in the region of armpit & breast, thickening or formation of the lump in the armpit & breast and swelling of the collarbone region & armpit.
Treatment following the detection
Any of the above symptoms determine an early stage breast cancer and any woman having such symptoms should immediately contact her general physician. Doctors examine the patient properly and if necessary, can refer them to a breast clinic for more examinations and mammogram. Upon detection of a lump, the cancerous cells can be extracted with the help of a delicate needle. A biopsy should also be done to ascertain, if the affected area or lump is malignant.
Every woman should know how to do self-examination of her beasts, so that she can know her breasts easier and recognise abnormal changes on them.
To Your Health!
About the Author
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
January 25th, 2009
One of the most prominent cases of cancer in women, which we hear today, is breast cancer. Cases of breast cancer have increased at an alarming rate and therefore, it is very important that we know the exact signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Women are the worst victims of this breast cancer, but men are also reported to suffer from this deadly disease.
Breast cancer can be cured in cases when women catch that they are having breast cancer in very early stages when the cancer is unable to reach the lymph nodes. In fact, 80% of all the women suffering from breast cancer are fully cured and they enjoy life as a normal person provided they are treated in the early stages of breast cancer.
Catch the Disease at an Early Stage
The best way to survive from cases of breast cancer is to catch it early on. For this, a woman should regularly perform breast self-exam of her breasts. This helps in finding and detecting breast cancer in the early stages ensuring that with proper treatment, it can be cured. A woman should perform self-exam of her breast regularly, so that she knows how her breasts normally feel. She can easily locate, if there is any sort of change in the anatomy of her breasts in future. This helps in improving the chances for her survival and eliminating the risks of breast cancer.
Consult Your Physician Immediately
As soon as you notices change in your breasts by performing self-exam, you should immediately contact your general physician or healthcare provider. Although most lumps or breast changes are found to be non-cancerous, such preventive measures can help you in determining the exact reason behind the abnormality of your breasts.
Fix a Time for Self-Exam
Every woman should conduct regular self-exam of her breasts. It is recommended that she does it every month and particularly after a few days before her period ends. This is because during that particular time, a woman’s breast is found to be less swollen or tender. Doctors also say that a woman should perform self-exam of her breast at the same time of every month, so that she notices exact changes.
Symptoms to Watch Out For
While performing a self-exam of your breasts, you should immediately contact your doctor if you notice any sort of abnormal lump. Again, you should consult them if any of your breasts shows some other symptoms like nipple retraction or skin irritation, skin dimpling & skin irritation, watery discharge from the nipple and redness on the breast skin or nipple.
Benefits of Regular Self-Exam
Regular self-exam ensures that a breast cancer is found early and there are more treatment choices for the affected person. Woman having breast cancer in the early stages have a better chance of recovery, as the cancer is unable to affect the lymph nodes.
It is very important that every woman perform regular self-exam of her breasts, so that the breast cancer can be detected and treated as early as possible.
To Your Health!
Abortion Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including
abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
Abortion Clinic.
Published At: www.Isnare.com
January 22nd, 2009
In our society, abstaining from alcohol can be difficult, especially during parties and family celebrations. But women who are pregnant or even just trying to get pregnant should stay away from alcohol entirely.
For the woman who is dependent upon or an abuser of this legal drug, it may be impossible to abstain from drinking without first undergoing effective treatment. Pregnant women with alcoholism should join an alcohol abuse rehabilitation program and be checked closely by a health care provider during their entire pregnancy.
Because alcohol use appears to be the most harmful during the first three months of pregnancy, serious harm can occur to the fetus before a woman even knows she is expecting. Few are even aware of the possible consequences of their drinking to the developing child, known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Fetal alcohol exposure is the leading known cause of mental retardation in the Western world. In the U.S., FAS occurs as often as or even more frequently than Downs Syndrome or Spinal Bifida. Symptoms of FAS can include the following:
* Slowed intrauterine growth
* Poor growth in the fetus and newborn
* Possible failure to thrive after birth
* Delayed development and signs of mild-to-moderate mental retardation, with the average IQ in the mid 60s
* Irregularities of the face, including small head and upper jaw; a short, upturned nose; smooth groove in the upper lip; smooth and thin upper lip; narrow, small eyes with large folds above the eye; heart defects; abnormal joints in the hands and feet; tremors in the newborn; agitation and crying
* Abnormalities of the skeleton
Any woman who is pregnant should avoid consuming alcohol throughout her entire pregnancy, as permanent birth defects can occur during each of the trimesters. It is unknown whether the timing or any specific amount of alcohol consumption is safe for the developing baby. Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can cause physical, mental, and behavioral problems that can persist for a lifetime.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can be the first sign of possible fetal alcohol damage. Infant ECG and echocardiogram are able to detect problems such as a heart murmur or other heart structural defects. Ultrasound of the fetus can show delayed intrauterine growth.
The primary effect of FAS is permanent central nervous system damage, especially to the brain. The resulting under-formed or malformed brain structures can create an array of primary cognitive and functional disabilities. Among them are poor memory, attention deficits, impulsive behavior, and poor cause-and-effect reasoning. Since the brain develops during the entire pregnancy, the risk of brain damage exists during each trimester. Mental health problems and drug addiction are secondary disabilities that can manifest themselves later in life and be due to FAS.
Many women are unfamiliar with the potential, permanent consequences of drinking while pregnant. The lifetime medical and social costs of each child born with FAS are estimated as just under a million U.S. dollars. The social costs to the family are inestimable. All women who go off their birth control in order to conceive are advised to drink NO alcohol (and take no harmful drugs). It may be difficult to stop drinking, but it is the best way to give a baby the best possible health and start in life.
Sources: Wikipedia and other Internet health-related articles
May 26th, 2008
Some women in their 40s can still get pregnant without assistance from fertility clinics. That’s good news for those who have postponed motherhood, but for women who have completed their family, continuing fertility can be problematic. Today, the Pill and the IUD (intra-uterine devices) are both considered good options for some women in their fourth decade. These two methods are much safer than, for example, in the 1960s and 1970s. In the past, most women over age 40 underwent a tubal ligation (a fallopian tube-tying procedure), or relied on condoms or vasectomy with their male partner.
Sterilization is now easier for women, thanks to a non-surgical method of tubal treatment called Essure. The new technique was approved by the U.S. government in 2002. No cutting of the abdomen or tying of the tubes is involved. Instead, the doctor works through the cervix, using a thin tube to insert small devices into the ends of the fallopian tubes. These “plugs” in about three months produce scarring to block the woman’s tubes, thus preventing ovulated eggs from reaching the uterus.
Women over 40 should continue to use birth control until well into menopause. This age group has been shown to have high abortion rates, similar to those of adolescents. Under certain conditions, the Pill is now safe for “older” women. The dosage of estrogen in today’s Pill is greatly reduced and considered by many physicians to be a good alternative for lean, healthy women over 40. The Pill has other benefits besides contraception for appropriate women. It can help to control irregular menstrual bleeding and hot flashes, reduce hip fractures and cases of ovarian cancer. Yet, some physicians urge caution even in lean and healthy women who are approaching menopause.
If a woman over 40 is significantly overweight, has high blood pressure or diabetes, the Pill would not be a good option. For them, the chances of dangerous blood clots rise sharply. Middle-aged women who are obese, who smoke, have migraine headaches or other identified risk factors might instead consider IUDs or progestin-only treatments termed “mini-pills.” Although higher breast cancer rates have been found in older women taking estrogen-progestin pills to control menopausal symptoms, women 35 and older taking oral contraceptives have not shown an increase in breast cancers.
Another birth control product called Implanon, FDA-approved in 2006, is a matchstick-sized plastic rod that is implanted under the skin of the upper arm. Implanon is similar to the earlier Norplant and can last up to three years.
Today’s IUDs are safer and more effective than those used by women in the 1970s. The earlier Dalkon Shield version resulted in a number of serious medical problems due to its defective design. A large class-action lawsuit was filed and millions in payouts were made over the years. American women and their physicians are again considering the IUD as a simple and effective method of birth control.
Women should discuss with their OB-GYN physician their preferences for contraception, the appropriateness for their age group and their individual health risks. New options in birth control methods and technologies greatly reduce the risk of an unwanted pregnancy.
San Francisco Chronicle, Mike Stobbe, AP story, April 5, 2008
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23954260/
April 8th, 2008
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