swmedicalcenter.org
5
HEAVY BLEEDING
Q
Is it true that taking
hormone replacement
therapy can increase my risk
for heart disease?
A
A great debate in women’s
health is whether the benefits
of hormone replacement therapy
(HRT) outweigh the risks.
A 2002 study by the Women’s
Health Initiative found that women
on Premarin and Provera HRT had a
greater risk of having a heart attack
or stroke when they already had
controlled risk factors, such as high
blood pressure or diabetes.
In contrast, another major study
showed that HRT appeared to offer
some protection fromheart disease for
women who started therapy within
10 years of the onset of menopause.
HRT also raises concerns about
blood clots, which can lead to heart
attacks and strokes. The estrogen
patch and natural progesterone (versus
synthetic progesterone) are reportedly
less likely to cause blood clots and
may be good options to consider.
So is HRT good or bad for your heart?
As you can see, there is no easy
answer. Research is ongoing, and
therapies are evolving. Keep an open
dialogue with your doctor so that you
can continue to evaluate the course
of treatment that is best for you.
Candice Sech, MD
PeaceHealth Southwest Heart
& Vascular Center
Cardiology
200 NE Mother Joseph Place,
Suite 400
Vancouver, WA 98664
360-514-4444
HRT AND YOUR HEART
VARICOSE VEINS
Q
How do I know if my
menstrual flow is too
heavy?
A
You might have menorrhagia
(heavy bleeding) if you:
●●
Have a menstrual flow that soaks
through one or more pads or tampons
every hour for several hours in a row
●●
Need to double up on pads to
control your menstrual flow
●●
Need to change pads or tampons
during the night
●●
Have menstrual periods lasting
more than seven days
●●
Have a menstrual flow with blood
clots the size of a quarter or larger
●●
Have a heavy menstrual flow that
keeps you from doing the things you
would do normally
●●
Have constant pain in the lower part
of the stomach during your periods
●●
Are tired, lack energy, or are short
of breath
Untreated heavy or prolonged
bleeding can stop you from living
your life to the fullest. It can also lead
to health problems such as anemia.
While menorrhagia is common, many
women do not know that they can get
help for it. Talk with your doctor to
get proper diagnosis and treatment.
To learn more, attend “Talk With a
Doc: Heavy Periods?” See details to
the right.
Michael Farber, MD
PeaceHealth Medical Group
OB/GYN
505 NE 87th Ave.,
Suite 160
Vancouver, WA 98664
360-514-1060
Q
What can I do to
prevent varicose veins?
A
While there is no sure way to
prevent varicose veins, you can
decrease your risk of getting them.
Exercise regularly.
This reduces
high blood pressure and improves
circulation.
Avoid prolonged standing.
It increases venous pressure and
weakens the blood vessel walls. Shift
your position frequently, and try to
take short walks every 30 minutes.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Excess weight puts pressure on your
legs. Develop healthy eating habits.
Quit smoking.
This will lower
high blood pressure.
Put your feet up.
To prevent blood
from pooling in your veins, elevate
your feet for several minutes each day.
Redesign your wardrobe.
To
improve circulation to your lower
body, avoid tight-fitting clothes.
Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
Sit properly.
Sit up straight and
don’t cross your legs. Good posture
improves circulation.
Wear compression hose.
If you’re
developing varicose veins, use the
appropriate support hose—check the
fit with your doctor or pharmacist.
For more information, visit
swYou101.org
to view Veins 101.
Desarom Teso, MD
PeaceHealth Medical Group
Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
505 NE 87th Ave.,
Suite 301
Vancouver, WA 98664
360-514-1854
Talk With a Doc:
Heavy Periods?
How-to Manage Your
Monthly Monster
When:
Wednesday, March 27,
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where:
Health Education Center,
Southeast 92nd Avenue and East
Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
Info:
There’s nothing normal about
a heavy period. Many women
experience abnormally long, frequent,
or heavy menstrual cycles. The good
news is that there are treatment
options. Learn about them from
Michael Farber, MD, PeaceHealth
Medical Group OB/GYN, and take
control of your monthly monster!
Men’s
Health Seminar:
ED and Incontinence
When:
Thursday, April 18,
7 to 8:30 p.m.
Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.
Where:
Health Education Center,
Southeast 92nd Avenue and East
Mill Plain Boulevard, Vancouver
Info:
Experiencing erectile
dysfunction (ED) or urinary
incontinence can be devastating
to the quality of life. Sadly, too
many men think they just have
to live with these conditions. But
for most men, these conditions
are treatable.
Join Douglass Masson, MD, and
Denise Kramer-Levien, CURN, BA,
from the Urology Clinic of
Southwest Washington, to learn
about the treatment options for
these quality-of-life issues.
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