Abnormal Bleeding / Irregular Cycles

BLACK COHOSH SHOWN TO RELIEVE SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE

For women going through menopause, hot flashes, insomnia, and depression can be symptoms that interfere with daily life. Besides hormone replacement therapy, which has come under scrutiny in the past because of its link to certain types of cancer, there are not many options that safely and effectively address these symptoms. Black cohosh, an herb that is a member of the buttercup family, is a good natural option for addressing the symptoms of menopause.

How exactly black cohosh works to control menopausal symptoms is unknown, although the most popular hypothesis is that a certain component of black cohosh shows activity similar to estrogen. Menopausal women have lower levels of estrogen levels than women who are still menstruating. Because of conflicting research conclusions, it is still unclear as to how exactly black cohosh works.

Although the mechanism of action is unknown, what is agreed is the efficacy of black cohosh for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. At least eight separate studies have shown that black cohosh is just as effective as an estrogen supplement. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists support the use of black cohosh for a treatment period of six months for alleviating insomnia, hot flashes, and mood disorders.

A study done at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2004 evaluated the effectiveness of black cohosh in reducing hot flashes. Results showed that the daily hot flash mean reduced 50% and the weekly hot flash mean reduced 56% by the conclusion of the study. Also, participants reported less abnormal sweating, decreased fatigue, and better sleep.

In addition to being effective, black cohosh has been shown to be safe. There are no known contraindications between black cohosh and medications (although there may be a possibility of interactions with the breast cancer drug tamoxifen). Side effects are mild and include headache and gastrointestinal complaints. When compared with side-effects from estrogen supplementation, side effects from black cohosh have a lower incidence.

Long-term use of black cohosh is not encouraged, mainly because all published studies have only studied women who have been taking it for less than six months. Women with a family history of breast cancer should be aware that there is controversy surrounding the safety of usage for them because of the possible estrogenic effect of black cohosh.

Black cohosh has been shown to be an effective and safe short-term treatment of menopause symptoms. Always consider family history when deciding on black cohosh as a supplement.

Sources:

American Family Physician(http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Bl…)

Black Cohosh is offered in our office.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Long-Term Solutions Restore Health

Ask the average woman about female pelvic health concerns like urinary incontinence or fibroids and she’s likely to have at least a basic knowledge of these conditions. But ask her about pelvic organ prolapse, and she may be stumped.

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when pelvic structures, like the bladder or
rectum, bulge or protrude into the vaginal wall. Often women describe it as
a feeling that something has “fallen”.

“In the case of vaginal vault prolapse, it is more common in women who
have had hysterectomy,” says Dr. Armity Simon. “It occurs when the uppermost part of the vagina, called the apex, descends because it doesn’t have the same support that was there when the uterus was present.”
As a result, the apex pulls the rest of the vagina down into the vaginal canal or even outside the vagina.

“The pain and discomfort with prolapse is considerable,” says Dr. Simon. “Often, women will refrain from sexual intercourse because of discomfort, limit physical activity and even encounter difficulty with urinating.”

Treatments available for prolapse depend on the type of prolapse that is presenting and its severity. Pelvic floor exercises called Kegel exercises or a vaginal pessary device placed in the vagina to support surrounding structures are two traditional, non-surgical treatments.

Surgery for prolapse has made considerable strides in recent years, and physicians now can offer a number of long-term surgical solutions. Many use a mesh, either synthetic or biologic or both, to provide support for the organs necessary to restore the vagina to its normal anatomical position.

“Mesh is soft and has large pores designed to allow your body tissue to grow into it, providing a framework of support,” explains Dr. Simon. “The use of surgical mesh is not new. It has been used in surgery for many years.”

For those women who have more than one type of prolapse, all can often be repaired during one surgical procedure.

“The best news about pelvic organ prolapse is that women do not have to live with it or its associated pain and discomfort,” says Dr. Simon. “New surgical options are available that are safe and highly effective.”

Find out more about Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Contact Dr. Armity Simon at
480-860-2322 www.drarmitysimon.com or visit www.amercianmedicalsystems.com
.