Women's Health Package

Over 300,000 words, organized under six main topic areas. The selection of materials compiled by the editors of Harvard Health Publications, focuses on health and wellness issues specific to women including: reproductive health and pregnancy, nutrition, exercise and management of diseases most-common to women.

BREAST HEALTH
GYNECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
SEXUALITY AND REPRODUCTION
MENTAL HEALTH IN WOMEN
EXERCISE, NUTRITION, AND WEIGHT LOSS
JUST FOR WOMEN: COMMON HEALTH CONCERNS

JUST FOR WOMEN: COMMON HEALTH CONCERNS
 

HEART DISEASE

Ounces of Prevention? Women -- Go for More!
More women than men die of heart disease, and it is the leading cause of death among women. Fortunately, there are a number of things women can do to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Aspirin and Women — Age Matters
Aspirin is safe for some healthy women over age 65 to take to prevent stroke and heart attack, but probably not for most younger women.

More Research on Women's Unique Heart Risks
Research shows that there are important differences between the sexes when it comes to heart disease, which may affect treatment and prevention.

High Marks for Below-Average Cholesterol
National recommendations for desirable cholesterol levels are now very low. An exploration of why and tips for how to achieve these levels.

Taking Blood Pressure to New Lows
A discussion about the lower normal blood pressure reading and whether it is good for us.

A Numbers Game Worth Playing
Twelve numbers worth knowing for your heart's health.

HARVARD COMMENTARIES/COLUMNS

• Gender Differences in Cardiac Care
• Broken Heart Syndrome

ASK-THE-EXPERT

• I have heard a lot about women experiencing different symptoms of heart problems than men, and am wondering if the following symptoms should cause me concern. Lately, I have been experiencing general body shakes or tremors (mostly mild), weakness in the knees, lightheadedness and a sort of disoriented feeling. These symptoms are periodic. Could they indicate a heart-related disorder?
• I am a 27-year-old woman who was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy four years ago after giving birth. My husband and I want to have another child, but we are scared of the risk. Would I still be at high risk if I have a Caesarean instead of a vaginal birth?

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OSTEOPOROSIS

Reducing Osteoporosis Risk
Thanks to advanced bone-measuring technologies, women are likely to know if they have osteoporosis before they suffer any broken bones.

Osteopenia: When you Have Weak Bones, but not Osteoporosis
A diagnosis of low bone density (osteopenia) is becoming more common. While this condition is not a disease, it might be considered pre-osteoporosis. Here, a discussion of prevention, treatment and screening guidelines.

What you Need to Know About Calcium
Calcium is billed as the bone-building nutrient. But some experts argue that we should pay more attention to exercise and vitamin D.

By the Way, Doctor: Which Calcium Supplement Should I Take?
Which calcium supplement is better for older women, calcium citrate or calcium carbonate?

In Brief: First Once-a-Month Osteoporosis Pill Approved
A guide to the once-a-month drug Ibandronate (Boniva), recently approved for treatment of osteoporosis, and a comparison to other available medications.

Osteoporosis: Ultra-low Dose Estrogen Patch Improves Bone, Appears Safe for the Uterus
An overview of research on the efficacy and safety of low-dose estrogen patches for the treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.

By the Way, Doctor: Is the Ultra-low Dose Estrogen Patch Available?
A low-dose estrogen patch called Menostar may offer osteoporosis prevention benefits, but should be used with caution.

Exercise Sampler: Building Hip Strength
Building hip strength in your later years can save you from dangerous fractures and falls. Eight exercises to increase balance, bone mass and strength in the hips and legs.

HARVARD COMMENTARIES/COLUMNS

• Bone up on Osteoporosis
• Osteoporosis and Exercise

ASK-THE-EXPERT

• I have asthma and use Flovent every day. About three to four times per year, I need to take prednisone for a week or two. Do I need to worry about thinning bones because of this?
• My health care provider has advised me to cut my weekly 70 mg Fosamax tablets in half to achieve a weekly dose of 35 mg. Is there any problem in doing this?
• I am presently taking Actonel (5 mg daily) and Premarin( .9 mg daily) I have mild osteoporosis. Will I need to continue to take Actonel for the rest of my life or will I eventually be able to stop taking it? Also, what is the best drug for treating mild osteoporosis if Actonel will not rebuild my bones?

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COSMETIC CONCERNS

By the Way, Doctor: What Can I Do About Hair Loss?
I don’t hear nearly as much about hair loss in women as in men. But I’m 65 and have watched my hair thin considerably over the past five or six years. Is there anything I can do about it? What about Rogaine?

Slowing Hair Loss
I know that Rogaine is used to treat hair loss in both men and women and have just read that Proscar can slow down hair loss in men. Does it work for women as well?

By the Way, Doctor: Hair Dye and Cancer
Can you tell me if hair dye can cause cancer?

Can Shampoo Ingredients Cause Cancer?
I have heard that sodium lauryl sulfate, which is added to many shampoos, may cause cancer. Is this true? Why would a company be allowed to add a harmful substance to such a commonly used product?

By the Way, Doctor: What Can I Do About Split Nails?
Describes the medical condition of spit fingernails (onychoschizia, technically speaking), and how to groom your fingertips to help reduce the problem.

Advice from the American Academy of Dermatology on Avoiding Potential Problems with Cosmetics.
Cosmetics sometimes irritate sensitive skin. Suggestions for avoiding the problem were presented by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Ask the Doctor: What Can I Do About Excessive Sweating?
A Harvard Medical School doctor answers your question about hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating.

By the Way, Doctor: How Does Thermage Remove Wrinkles?
Thermage uses heating and cooling to reduce wrinkles on the skin's upper layer, but the procedure has limited application and some risks.

Are Your Leg Veins Ready for Summer?
Treatment options for spider and varicose veins, including "quick fixes" to avoid.

LED Photomodulation: “Light” Approach to Younger Skin
Acquiring a more youthful look often involves sanding, peeling or heating the skin. A new painless technique relies only on low light.

In Brief: Shedding Light on Sunscreens
Decoding the sun protection factor of sunscreens, and differentiating between claims of UVA and UVB protection on labels.

By the Way, Doctor: Does Sunscreen Block Vitamin D?
Regular use of sunscreen does not appear to cause vitamin D deficiency.

Ouch: Sunburn and What to Do About it
Covers how we burn, basic first aid, and what to do if a sunburn is severe.

Dermatology: What Skin Creams Can and Can’t Do
In responding to the calling cards of time and sun exposure, many women first turn to lotions, creams and skin "systems." But do these formulations work?

HARVARD COMMENTARIES/COLUMNS

• The Question of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery
• The Myth of Stress and Hair Color
• Health and Safety Concerns at the Beauty Salon
• Acne and the Role of Diet
• A Hairy Situation
• Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin

ASK-THE-EXPERT

• I am considering having a breast reduction procedure. However, I know that I am overweight. Should I wait and lose the weight before having the surgery or try to lose it afterward?
• I have had large breasts all my life. I am trying to decide if I should have them surgically reduced. What are the negative health consequences of large breasts, (besides the obvious one of back pain) and at what size is it considered medically necessary to have this type of surgery?
• Over the past two months, I have gone from having a few spider veins in my legs to having several large, noticeable patches of these veins. I have heard that this might be from standing for prolonged periods, but at my job I am constantly speed walking, not standing around. Other than being unsightly, is there cause for concern here?

HEALTH A-TO-Z

• Varicose Veins
• Wrinkles (Sun-Damaged Skin)
• Hair Loss Overview
• Hirsutism (Excessive Hair)
• Acne
• Rosacea

HARVARD INTERACTIVE TOOLS
Sunburn Quiz

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PREVENTION AND SCREENING

By the Way, Doctor: Why do I Need a Tetanus Booster?
My doctor told me I’m overdue for a tetanus booster. I’m 60, and I wonder if it’s really necessary at my age. Can’t I just get one if I get a deep cut?

These Shots Aren’t Just Kid Stuff
Chickenpox and whooping cough, once thought to strike only in childhood, increasingly occur among adults. Vaccines for both diseases may be available in 2006.

In Brief: Flu Vaccine: Through the Nose, not the Needle
FluMist is the first human vaccine on the market in the United States that can be delivered through the nose.

Bone Density Test
This test, which is also called bone densitometry, uses specialized x-rays to measure the thickness and strength of your bones.

What Screening Tests Do You Need?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) makes recommendations about what tests are helpful in preventing particular diseases in the population as a whole.