GynoFiles

Many herbal products are useful for health and wellness. But the concept of trust but verify was brought into a stark light recently with the revelation that many, if not virtually all supplements have substances that are both worthless and potentially harmful and often don't contain any active ingredient . We generally know that prescription medications are FDA approved, and that herbal formulations are not specifically approved. But with on line pharmacies, even national retailers with medical products over the counter may not be safe so it is very confusing and you have to look at a lot of information, including the prior warnings to women that herbal supplements are not all that they seem to be for awhile . The FDA publishes a book called the Orange Book. It is the current compendium of approved drugs . It is accessible on line and can be a valuable resource for personalized decision making in conjunction with your gyno.  Even products that are labeled for simple things li...

                                The gyno uses of peppermint are many! it can be used with cold compresses or cabbage leaves for the anesthetic properties it has, it's fresh leaves have a significant amount of vitamin C, and when applied to the forehead it can help relive headaches. In aromatherapy it has been said to increase energy, stimulate concentration, and stimulate blood flow. For women who get bowel complaints with their menstrual periods taking in peppermint tea can help with colic, diarrhea, and gas. If it's that time of the month, pop peppermint on your shopping list. It's in the natural gynos kitchen at all times!

Mild hot flashes should be tolerated, and don't need therapy, but once they occur several times a day, or more, and are accompanied by sweating, sleep disturbances or lack of concentration, it's time to try simple therapies, then check with your gyno. Research studies have been frustrating on herbal medicines, for all the reasons herbals are not traditional medications: they vary, they are best used in combinations, and positive thinking is so powerful, that the placebo effects are huge making statistically proving herbals work almost impossible. About 4-6 women out of 10 will get better no matter what herbal we give them. The herbal therapy for hot flashes can be aimed at reducing the flash, reducing the anxiety with the flash, and hoping to improve sleep. One herbal menopausal therapy that may be able to fit the bill and treat all these complaints the herb black cohosh. If you read labels it's in many available therapies. What is black cohosh? Is it something that...

The literature on Mirena has not consistently looked at sexual changes just due to IUDs. It has been reported by some women that they have seen decrease, and others increase in their sexuality. As with other conditions the best first strategy is to get diagnosed, and those that have sex drive changes may have very different physiology from those with problems of orgasm.  If you are having difficulty with orgasms and want to participate in one of our research trials, contact us at 217-356-3736. One reader that wrote that she has a high sex drive and has not noticed a decrease with her Mirena states she’s worried about high androgen levels and wants to take diindolmethane to control this. Again, we have to start each discussion with a caution, that you cannot manage your medical care through a blog. In general, there has not been any studies to back up a “preventative way to hold onto one’s sexual function.” In general, if you are not having a problem with sexuality, any h...