Hot Topics

Hot Topics for Teens

teenager Everywhere you look today in magazines and on the Internet the subject of HPV and the Gardasil Vaccine comes up. What is it? HPV is a virus that you get by having sex with a person who has the virus. They may have gotten it years before meeting you. You also may be infected from previous sexual encounters and not know it. Your pap smear is how the virus is discovered in your body. Some of the types of the virus can change into cancer of the cervix (the entrance to the uterus). This cancer can be treated and cured, but it is better to prevent it in the first place. Getting a series of three shots called Gardasil can prevent 70% of the cancer causing viruses. It is recommended for girls/women ages 9-26. Other ways to help prevent the virus are:

Abstinence. No exposure, no virus.
If you do have intercourse, use a condom EVERY time.
Limit the number of partners. The fewer people you are with, the less chance of exposure.
Don't smoke or stop smoking. If you are exposed, smoking makes it more likely to get the virus and harder to clear it by yourself. Nicotine harms your tissue on the cervix.

Finally, ask your doctor or nurse practitioner any questions you have during your checkup. You do not have to have a pap smear if you are not having sex and would like to get the shot.

Hot Topics for Pregnancy

woman Everyone gets excited when you bring your new little one home. For some women, however, they experience moods and feelings they just don't understand. Your hormones are rapidly changing immediately after delivery. Between that and fatigue, role changes, diet changes and body image issues, most women experience the "baby blues". For others, however, it is more than that. Post Partum Depression is more common than you think.

Symptoms may include:

Change in sleep patterns. Either you feel you can't sleep, or you have difficulty staying awake even if you have had a sufficient amount of sleep.
Feeling teary, moody or angry without being able to identify the source of the feelings.
Change in appetite. Either food just doesn't sound good or you binge eat.
Lack of interest in activities and changes in your grooming.
Thoughts of self harm or harm to your baby.

Sometimes your family will notice these changes more than you will. Post Partum Depression is a temporary condition. However, it can interfere with your ability to parent, take care of yourself and in rare cases lead to self-harm or harm to your baby. It is very treatable using antidepressants. If you think this is happening to you, please contact your physician. We can help.

Hot Topics for Menopause

Hormone replacement therapy is still a very controversial topic with women who are postmenopausal. Studies have indicated that use of HRT, especially the combination of estrogen and progesterone may increase the risk of heart disease and breast cancer. The studies being quoted did study one dose and one type of drug only. So, what do you do with those "unpleasant" hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness? It can be very much a quality of life issue.

First of all, look at lifestyle changes. It has been shown that caffeine and spicy foods can actually trigger a hot flash. Exercise also decreases symptoms. Smoking interferes with your body's ability to use estrogen and increases your risk of breast and cervical cancer so STOP. Take a look at your risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and breast cancer. Then, get your cholesterol checked, screen for diabetes and get annual mammograms. Drink 6-8 8 oz glasses of water each day. If "the change" is making you miserable despite your best efforts, discuss options with your provider. There are many doses and types of hormone replacement therapy out there and we try to consider your risks and needs.