Pap Smear, pelvic and tests
World Menopause Day
October 18, 2011 | 
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World Menopause Day stands out from the crowd of other special days devoted to specific health issues because menopause matters to so many lives—all the world’s women will experience it if they reach their midlife years. That’s why the World Health Organization and the International Menopause Society have been marking October 18 as World Menopause Day since 1999.
Since the day is meant to boost awareness of the changes menopause brings to women around the world—and the opportunities it presents for women to evaluate and improve their health—The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) wants to help you experience a healthy menopause. So NAMS has put together a useful collection of menopause-related resources for women on its website: www.menopause.org Then make an appointment with Kathleen to set up your personal plan 360-885-7926.
Posted in Breast Health, Heart Health, Hormone Discussion, Memory and Moods: the brain, Menopause, Pap Smear, pelvic and tests, What is a Midwife? | 
Tags: appointment, hormones, menopause, NAMS | 
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Sex And Hormones
Many women are uncomfortable asking their provider about health conditions that are affecting their sex lives. Are you one of them? It’s not easy talking about a non-existent libido, wimpy orgasms, or vaginal dryness with anyone. I wonder how many suffer and endure because they are too embarrassed to discuss it. I have a shock factor of ZERO! I’m sure I’ve heard it all before you. Call for an appointment with Kathleen; I can help. 360-885-7926
Posted in Birth Control Options, Breast Health, Hormone Discussion, Menopause, Pap Smear, pelvic and tests | Tags: birth control, hormones, libido, menopause, sex | Comments Closed
Anti-depressants For Hot Flashes
Some women who have hot flashes, and either can’t or don’t want to use hormone therapy for relief, can benefit from some anti-depressants as treatment. No, it isn’t depression that brings them on (although they can be depressing after no sleep for a while)! The chemicals in some anti-depressants help ‘rewire’ the brain to stop hot flashes.
Make an appointment with Kathleen to discuss this and other options. Life is too short to be miserable! 885-7926
Posted in Breast Health, Heart Health, Hormone Discussion, Memory and Moods: the brain, Menopause, Pap Smear, pelvic and tests, Weight Management, What is a Midwife? | Comments Closed
Natural Approach To Menopausal Symptoms
Symptoms of menopause can be controlled in many ways, based on your PERSONAL history and story. Some women, especially those with less severe symptoms, successfully manage their menopausal symptoms with natural remedies. Remember that just because it’s natural doesn’t mean that it is safer!
Safety: Like drugs, herbs are chemically based, which is what makes them work. This means, however, that a “natural” claim on the label doesn’t necessarily mean the product is totally safe or free of side effects. Rat poison is sold over the counter and is natural!!! On the positive side, many of the specific botanicals commonly suggested for menopause have long track records of safe use, when taken correctly.
- Effectiveness. The formulation of herbal supplements can vary greatly by brand: please stick to products that contain standardized extracts. These can help ensure that you are getting the amount, or percentage, of the active ingredients you need for the product to be effective.
- Disclosure. It’s important to tell me of any herbal use. Sometime herbs will interact with medications you are already taking, interact with another herb you are taking or affect a medical condition that you have. In addition, the herb or combination
product you take needs to be based on your specific symptoms, weight, age, and
medical history.
Make an appointment for a personal evaluation of you and your hormones and GET HELP for your symptoms.
Kathleen is a Menopause Clinician, Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner. 360-885-7926
Posted in Hormone Discussion, Memory and Moods: the brain, Menopause, Pap Smear, pelvic and tests, What is a Midwife? | Tags: menopause | Comments Closed
When It Comes To Heart Health, Know Your Numbers!
The number of women who have heart attacks increases dramatically once you turn 55, especially after menopause. There are many factors that affect your risk for heart disease and stroke. Some, like age, race and family history, you can’t control. But others, such as obesity, stress, smoking and cholesterol, you can. If you are at risk, for any reason, take your heart health seriously. Begin by knowing what your numbers are. That is, when your provider orders lab tests at your annual check-up, ask to see (and retain a copy) of your lab tests and know how your results stack up against these optimal benchmarks, which measure your risk for heart disease and diabetes, from the American Heart Association (AHA).
Total Cholesterol: <200 mg/dL
LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: <100mg/dL
HDL (“good”) cholesterol: 50mg/dL or higher
Triglycerides: <150mg/dL
Fasting Glucose <100mg/dL
All of these labs are part of a regular Annual check-up at Pacific Midwifery, Menopause & Women’s Health. Call 360-885-7926 for an appointment.
Posted in Heart Health, Hormone Discussion, Menopause, Pap Smear, pelvic and tests, What is a Midwife? | Tags: american heart association | Comments Closed
Difference Between Pelvic Exam And Pap Smear?
Do you know that a Pelvic exam does not always mean that a Pap Smear is being done? Pap Smear is done to screen for cervical and some uterine cancers. An Annual exam includes a pelvic exam, done to screen for ovarian and other uterine cancers, and a breast exam. If you have been told that you don’t need a Pap Smear every year it DOES NOT MEAN that you don’t need an ANNUAL EXAM including a Pelvic exam. Get a check-up every year to protect your health as a woman.
