Migraine Headaches and Cancer Risk

Hormonal changes cause both migraine headaches and breast cancer. Researchers in Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit, Bethesda, and Springfield, MA., collected data that supported the fact that a history of migraines may be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Obesity and Labor

Maternal obesity was studied at two New York hospitals. It was found that obesity is associated with longer labor.

Hypertension, Endometrial Cancer, and Type 2 Diabetes

A recent study found hypertension was prevalent in approximately 40% of type 2 diabetic pregnant women but only 10% of the non diabetic controls. Those with an increased body mass index were found to have chronic and gestational hypertension, but not pre-eclampsia. Thus, hypertensive diseases did not affect the pregnancy outcome of women in this study.

However, another study recently reported very obese women aged 20-54 have an elevated endometrial cancer risk, which appears heightened by early menopause.

anxiety and yoga

Participation in a two month yoga class may lead to significant reduction in perceived levels of anxiety in women who suffer from anxiety disorders. Yoga can be considered as a complementary therapy to psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. For many years research has been conducted to determine whether yoga can help patients going through infertility treatment. Although not directly responsible for improved pregnancy rates, yoga can help women through this difficult period of time through anxiety reduction. Warning: no hot yoga, however!

Vaginal and IM Progesterone Supplementation

There were found to be no significant differences in treatment outcome between those who took vaginal vs. intramuscular progesterone supplementation. Thus, there were similar rates of pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates in the two methods of treatment.

Postmenopausal Weight Gain and Your Brain

The change in a woman's pre- amd post menopausal body mass index, when she has had a substantial weight gain, may account for a greater reduction in her gray matter volume. In other words, to be smarter gain less weight!

Reflexology and Ovulation

A small study concluded that foot reflexology does not have an effect on patient's ovulation.

Obesity and Pregnancy

Obesity can stop ovulation and the capacity for pregnancy. Additionally, obesity increases the risk of miscarriage and other complications of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, etc. Lifestyle modification, i.e., weight loss, exercise, etc., may improve ovulation and increase the likelihood that a woman can become pregnant and maintain the pregnancy. Should changes in one's lifestyle be insufficient, ovulation induction should be considered as the first line of treatment. Should clomiphene citrate fail to help conception, the second stage of treatment could include exogenous gonadotropins or laparoscopic ovarian surgery. Finally, IVF should be considered. However, Metformin, which is used in polycystic ovarian syndrome, should be used exclusively by women who have a glucose intolerance.

Abortion: More than a Woman's Choice; a Good Choice

First trimester surgical abortion is a very common, effecective, and safe procedure (Tristan et al.,2009). Psychological counseling, along with medical advice can lead to good outcomes. Complications of first trimester abortions result in only 0.5% of all cases which includes incomplete abortions, infections, uterine perforations, etc.
Infectious complications may result in death. However, in places where abortions are legal, the actual risk of infection is low, and rarely results in death or sepsis. Yet another very significant finding that supports legalized abortion.

Children's Book Explaining ART

A new book entitiled "Where Do I Come From?" by Narelle Wickman, published in Australia, discusses sexual intercourse, various assisted reproductive technologies used in conception, and adoption. The book provides information for children regarding donor insemination,IVF, surrogacy, and adoption in non-judgemental language and is appropriate for children.
The book has sparked controversy among some, including conservative Christians, because they believe the author does de-values the "traditional" family, (whatever that is; emphasis mine). Many patients who conceive through the ARTs state they would explain the high-tech methods used in conception to their children if they had guidelines or an accurate "script" to follow. This book may assist parents wishing to disclose the truth about the methods used in their children's conception.