Alternative Therapies in Women's Health Archives – July 1, 2005
July 1, 2005
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Supplements for Improving Fertility in Women
Lecturer in Health Care Ethics, School of Nursing, Dublin City University, Ireland Dr. OMathúna reports no consultant, stockholder, speakers bureau, research, or other financial relationships with companies having ties to this field of study. Many people eagerly anticipate having children of their own. When the decision is made that the time is right, excitement rises. But as months pass without pregnancy, concerns quickly develop. Fears that one might not be fertile trigger all sorts of emotional reactions. An apparent inability to have a child can impact ones self-esteem and relationships. Infertility can be an enormously difficult condition to accept. Yet one in every six couples in the United States has difficulty conceiving a child; among couples in their late 30s, difficulties occur in one of every three couples.1 In some areas of Africa, the infertility rate is estimated to be between 30-50%.2 -
Chill Out: A Good Treatment for Hot Flashes?
Associate Director, UCLA Center for Dietary Supplement Research: Botanicals Medical Director, Cedars-Sinai Integrative Medicine Program, Los Angeles, CA Dr. Hardy is on the scientific advisory board for Pharmavite and Herbalife. Hot flashes are the most common and bothersome symptom for most women in menopause. In a national probability survey of menopausal women, 70% reported experiencing hot flashes; this was the main symptom that caused survey respondents to seek treatment from their physicians.1 Frequency, duration, and severity of hot flashes vary greatly among women, but most have hot flashes of mild-to-moderate intensity for several years around the onset of menopause. An unfortunate minority of women, about 20% by some estimates, experiences hot flashes for up to 15 years.2 Estrogen is one of the few therapies proven to decrease hot flashes. However, since the termination of the Womens Health Initiative study, many women and their health care providers have rejected this option. This has left us in the position of actively seeking other safe, effective therapies. -
Flaxseed Modulates Estrogen Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women — Comparison with Soy
Founder and Director, Natural Product Research Consultants, Inc. Advisory Board, American Botanical Council Presidents Advisory Board, Bastyr University, Seattle Advisor to the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health Dr. Brown is a consultant for Natures Way, Inc.. Source: Brooks JD, et al. Supplementation with flaxseed alters estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women to a greater extent than does supplementation with an equal amount of soy. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;79:318-325. -
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