Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Traditionally, hot flashes have been treated with either
oral (by mouth) or transdermal (patch) forms of estrogen.
Hormone therapy (HT),
also referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or postmenopausal hormone
therapy (PHT),
consists of estrogens or a combination of estrogens and progesterone
(progestin). Both oral and transdermal estrogen are available either as estrogen
alone or estrogen combined with progesterone. Whether oral or transdermal, all
available prescription estrogen replacement medications are effective in reducing the frequency of hot
flashes and their severity. Generally, these medications decrease the frequency
of hot flashes by about 80% to 90%.
However, long-term studies (the NIH-sponsored Women's
Health Initiative, or WHI) of women receiving oral preparations of combined hormone therapy with both
estrogen and progesterone were halted when it was discovered that these women
had an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer when
compared with women who did not receive HT. Later studies of women taking
estrogen therapy alone showed that estrogen was associated with an increased
risk for stroke, but not for heart attack or breast cancer. Estrogen
therapy alone, however, is associated with an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer
(cancer of
the lining of the uterus) in postmenopausal women who have not had their uterus
surgically removed.
The decision in regard to starting or continuing hormone therapy, therefore, is a very individual
one
in which the patient and doctor must take into account the inherent risks and
benefits of the treatment along with each woman's own medical history. It is
currently recommended that if hormone therapy is used, it should be used at the
smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time.
Alternative Treatments For Hot Flashes Of Menopause - Describe Your ExperienceQuestion: Please describe your experience with alternative treatments for hot flashes of menopause.
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the “change of life." Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies, and should be discussed with your physician.
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions.
Hot flashes (or flushing) is the most common symptom experienced by a woman prior to and during the early stages of menopause. Hot flashes can be caused by other conditions. Diagnosis is made by taking a patient history and at times, blood tests. Treatment options include hormone therapy, bioidentical hormone therapy, and medications. There are non-FDA approved natural remedies.
Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine linking is the menstrual blood flow. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack fo a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding. There are a variety of situations in which a girl or woman should see a doctor about her menstrual cycle.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
Menopause RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the