Archive for August, 2009

Pap Test- A Crucial Step To Combating Cervical Cancer

A Pap or Pap smear test is an imperative screening method that assists in timely detection of malignant cancerous or pre-cancer cells in the cervix. The Pap smear test is undertaken during a women’s pelvic examination routine. At the time of the pelvic examination, the doctor extracts cells samples from the cavity of the uterus called the cervix. These cervical cells samples are sent for laboratory analysis to spot any abnormal cell activity that could point to a preliminary or advanced stage of cervical cancer. During the pelvic examination procedure, one is required to remove all clothes, following which a breast examination is also done in conjunction. One has to wear the robe given and a coverlet sheet is provided to conceal the leg area. One is supposed to lie on the examination  [...]

New Cabergolin Drug Vouched As Better Lactation Suppressant

Lactation, an innate and physiological process that occurs in post-delivery women is fundamental for feeding and nourishing the baby. However, on certain occasions inhibition or suppression of lactation becomes necessary in situations like a still-born child, neonatal fatality, incapable of feeding the child due to medical factors like presence of HIV, heart ailments, tuberculosis or personal factors. With a rising number of working mothers, nearly 50% of whom for certain pressing reasons have to opt for lactation suppression or inhibition. The conventionally employed drugs involve the administration of solely estrogen, estrogen-androgen in combination, pyridoxine and bromocriptine. All these drugs displayed varying effectiveness, heightened occurrences of return of lactation and a host  [...]

Non-Scarring Belly Button Hysterectomy

Lately, a path-breaking technique was employed by surgeons in Europe during a hysterectomy procedure that was conducted with a mere slit in the belly button area of the woman. The foremost form of hysterectomy method carried out by the proficient panel of surgeons headed by Doctor Thomas Ind, is also called single incision laparoscopic surgery. This is the newest advancement in the field of knothole surgery wherein the device fitted with a mini-camera is introduced through the navel, with the aid of which the surgeons could manipulate the procedure within, by watching the live streaming on a television monitor. Hysterectomy, a common surgical procedure on women that entails the removal of the uterus or the womb is opted due to various maladies like the presence of uterine fibroids or  [...]

The Innovatory, No-Hassles Birth Control Pills – Part II

The crucial facts regarding the lucrative birth control options are stated below for the locally available brands. The period-halting, low dosage, birth control pill known as the Lybrel is intended to be consumed through the year. With the estrogen-progestin combo birth control pill, Seasonale, has to be taken for three months, followed by a no-pills week, there would be just four menstrual cycles annually. The estrogen-progestin combo Seasonique has to taken for three months, after which a week of having estrogen-low pills, would lead to four lesser, shorter-spanned menstrual cycles annually. A month-lasting, PMS-reducing pill known as Yaz comprises of a total of 28 pills of which 24 are active and 4 are inactive. This makes the menses regularised, flow lesser and short-spanned. The  [...]

The Innovatory, No-hassles Birth Control Pills – Part I

Initially, the continual birth control pills available under the name of Seasonale gave women the opportunity to have just four menses during a year’s time. This was a god-sent prospect for those women who could steer clear from the hassle, when they didn’t feel the need for it. Presently, the pill has been refined even further to be totally tailor-made to suit women’s needs by including the feature of lesser or no menstrual cycle along with no signs of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and no nagging skin conditions. The birth control pill bandwagon comprising of Seasonale, Yaz, Yasmin, Lybrel and even Seasonique have made path-breaking changes in the field of birth control. Christopher Estes, asst. professor of Obst. & Gynecology, University of Maimi School of Medicine has stated  [...]

How Safe Are Anti-Depression Medication For Pregnant Women?

Those women on anti-depressant medication are most often faced with a major dilemma during pregnancy, with weighing the options of odds versus advantages of carrying on with the treatment still being quite fuzzy to many. A latest study has revealed that the use of anti-depressants has accelerated at more than twice the rate in the time spans of 1999-2003. A research undertaken in 2003 uncovered that one among eight women consumed anti-depressants at some stage of their pregnancy that comprised of the widely popular range of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI anti-depressants such as Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft. Though these medications were widely deemed safe during pregnancy, but safety issues swiftly surfaced particularly in case of Paxil, that showed cases of women from Sweden  [...]

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a long-term or persistent disease that occurs in women in their fertile years due to the abnormal tissue growth outside the uterus known as implants that usually form part of the inner lining of the uterus. Though not mostly symptomatic or fatal, some women start showing mild to extreme symptoms even leading to sterility. In Endometriosis, there is no sure-shot means to envisage the rate of worsening, improvement or remaining unchanged till menopause. These implants could proliferate to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the external surface of uterus or several other organs in the abdomen. In atypical cases, organs beyond the abdominal region are also affected. Endometriosis Causes: The specific causes leading to endometriosis is still unidentified. Probable reasons comprise  [...]