May 29th, 2009
Just as I was getting a handle on hormones as relates to PCOS, bioidentical hormones are all over the Internet and other media. What exactly are they and how would they affect me? What are the pros and cons of using them?
Fortunately, Dr. Rebecca Booth conveys the straight story in her May 27th Huffington Post blog entitled “Bioidentical Hormones – Marketing Hype of Medical Breakthrough?”
This respected OB/GYN and author of “The Venus Week: Discover the Powerful Secret of Your Cycle…At Any Age” lists many of the changes brought about by our sex hormones in adolescence up to our mid- 20’s (Breasts develop; the waistline is carved out). Good!. And with menopause (Breasts deflate (or worse, get enormous); Waist disappears). Not so good.
We urge you to read this article in full to better understand the nature of your hormones:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-booth/bioidentical-hormones-mar_b_208180.html
All the best, Catherine L, PCOS Support Blog Editor
May 14th, 2009
Dr. Nancy Dunne and her associate, Bill Slater, follow PCOS research closely and present the findings in an interesting and clear manner in their monthly newsletter, PCOS Review.
This month, they write about new research that indicates a special diet can help manage males hormones such as testosterone.
As we know only too well, androgens appear in excessively high levels in women with PCOS and underlie many of the distressing symptoms encountered.
Please read the entire article, “Healthy Diet vs. Male Hormones in Your Body” and/or pass it along to someone you care about who could benefit.
We care about you.
Here’s the link:
www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/news80.html#sec2
Catherine L. – Editor, PCOS Support Blog
May 12th, 2009
Not that any of us are surprised…..Reuters recently covered a report that appears in the journal Fertility & Sterility stating that mood disorders are more common in women with PCOS than originally thought.
The article’s about a follow up to previous research undertaken by Dr. Anuja Dokras at the University of Pennsylvania, USA to determine whether mood disorders are persistent and to identify new cases.
The original study found high rates of depression (35 percent) among women with PCOS – significantly higher than the comparison subjects (10.7 percent).
In the recent study, 22 months after the original, 60 out of the initial 103 women participated. Results showed that the prevalence of depression has increased to 40 percent; new cases of depression in the group totaled 11; and of the 20 women identified with depression in the first study, five still had the disorder in spite of ongoing treatment.
Among other recommendations, the doctors suggested that women with PCOS should be accessed for mental disorders as part of their initial evaluation by physicians.
An excellent idea and not before time. Here is the link to the article from Reuters:
http://www.leaderpost.com/Health/Mood+disorders+common+polycystic+ovary+syndrome/1261976/story.html
Catherine L, Editor – PCOS Support Blog
May 11th, 2009
I have never heard of “Japanese acupuncture” have you?
Also known as “Five Elements,” the practice has been successful for an Irish women who was told by her doctor that she had “one of the worst wombs I’ve ever seen” and was unlikely to ever become pregnant again, according to an article in today’s Independent newspaper.
The fact that each session included the insertion of 400 fine needles and was painful, unlike traditional Chinese acupuncture, new mother Tara O’Sullivan describes the recent birth of her baby as “a dream,” compared to the earlier, IVF-assisted birth of her twins. She’s starting “Five Elements” again for her next baby.
Here’s a link to the complete article:
http://www.independent.ie/health/alternative-health/fit-to-be-tried-five-elements-acupuncture-1734894.html
A quick Google of “Japanese acupuncture” reveals a number of clinics and practitioners in the U.S. and Canada. If you decide to try this modality, please let us know about your experience.
All the best – Catherine L. Editor – PCOS Support Blog
