Latest news with #obgyn
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Hot flashes 101: What triggers them, how long they last and what you can do to cool down fast
It starts innocuously enough — maybe you're in a meeting or standing in line at the grocery store — when suddenly it feels like someone cranked an invisible furnace to hellish proportions. Within seconds, you're sweating, shivering and feeling your heart race. If you're a woman of a certain age, welcome to the world of hot flashes, menopause's most common and notorious symptom. Research in the Journal of Mid-Life Health shows that more than 80% of women experience these unpredictable waves of intense heat during this natural transition. But what exactly causes a hot flash? And aside from taking up permanent residence in your freezer, are there any real hot flash remedies? We turned to the experts to find out. But first, what is a hot flash anyway? Table of contents The science behind hot flashes When do hot flashes start? What do hot flashes feel like? How long do hot flashes last? Lifestyle changes to manage hot flashes Consider medications Cooling products for hot flash relief Meet the experts The science behind hot flashes Hot flashes are all in your head — literally. They start in the hypothalamus, the temperature-control center in your brain. Normally, this area keeps your body temperature in check with the precision of a NASA engineer. But during perimenopause and menopause, your hypothalamus can, well, freak out. "During perimenopause, the hypothalamus becomes overly sensitive due to fluctuating and declining estrogen levels," says Dr. Sherry Ross, ob-gyn and women's health expert at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. "Even a small shift in temperature can be misinterpreted as overheating, prompting your body to launch a full-on cool-down response: dilated blood vessels, sweating and all." In scientific terms, these temperature swings are known as vasomotor symptoms (VMS) — and they're anything but subtle. When estrogen levels dip, the delicate balance of brain chemicals like norepinephrine and serotonin goes awry, as noted in StatPearls, a peer-reviewed medical reference. These neurotransmitters help regulate your temperature, so when they're thrown off, your hypothalamus hits the panic button and — voila! — a hot flash. This is why medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that target these chemicals have been shown to help cool things down. More on that later. When do hot flashes start? Hot flashes often emerge when estrogen levels start fluctuating in the initial stages of perimenopause, which can start up to a decade before menopause officially begins. That means hot flashes can strike as early as your 30s. A 2025 report in NPJ Women's Health found that more than half of women ages 30 to 35 experience moderate to severe symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes. What do hot flashes feel like? The most recognizable symptom of a hot flash is a sudden, intense sensation of heat throughout your body, usually starting in your chest or face. Red blotches may dot your chest, back and arms. "These episodes tend to last one to five minutes, leaving you flushed, sweaty, clammy or even with heart palpitations," says Ross. Night sweats — aka hot flashes that happen during sleep — are also common. These after-hours symptoms can easily disrupt your slumber, leaving you wide-eyed, drenched and exhausted. And, over time, this pattern can lead to long-term sleep disruption, wreaking havoc on everything from your cardiac health to your mood. The severity of these symptoms varies dramatically from person to person. "While hot flashes may be milder for some, others can experience them as frequent and intense enough to interfere with daily life," says Ross. How long do hot flashes last? "For most women, hot flashes last about three to five years, but for others, they can persist for a decade or more," says Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, a neurologist for the Comprehensive Menopause Care Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. In fact, some battle the heat for a gobsmacking 14 years, according to research in JAMA Internal Medicine. But before you lose your cool (wink, wink), Voskuhl notes: "Everyone experiences hot flashes differently — some people may have more than 10 hot flashes a day, while others might only deal with them occasionally." While hot flashes are typically a normal part of the menopause journey, in rare cases they can be symptoms of other conditions, such as thyroid disease or certain cancers, or they can be side effects from certain medications, like SSRIs, says Ross. That's why it's important to consult your health care provider, especially if symptoms feel unusual or appear earlier than expected. Lifestyle changes to manage hot flashes There are several lifestyle changes that can go a long way in reducing the intensity and frequency of hot flashes, according to research in the journal Menopause. Here's what experts suggest: Skip spicy foods If you're a fan of heat — in your food, that is — it's a good idea to dial it down right now. Spicy dishes, especially those that contain jalapeño, habanero and serrano peppers can trigger hot flashes and sweating because they contain capsaicin, a chemical compound that produces heat sensations. "Capsaicin makes the blood vessels dilate and fill with blood, which causes a warm sensation — and hot flashes and sweating can occur as a result of this phenomenon," says Ross. Limit alcoholic beverages That nightly glass of wine you used to look forward to? It might be plotting against you. Research in the journal Nutrients suggests that any level of regular drinking increases hot flash risk, with moderate drinkers (one and a half to three drinks a day) showing double the risk and heavy drinkers (more than three drinks a day) showing more than triple the risk compared with women who abstain from alcohol. While any alcohol can bring on the flash, Ross shares that red wine might be the biggest culprit. "Red wine causes the blood vessels to relax, vasodilate and expand, making you feel warm or flushed," she says. "Some experience intense hot flashes while others only feel warmer." Exercise regularly The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends exercising for at least 2.5 hours a week, whether you're hot flashing or not. But sticking to those guidelines is especially important for hot flash relief. Regular exercise that improves cardio fitness appears to retrain your body's temperature control system, making it more efficient at cooling down, potentially reducing both the frequency and severity of hot flashes, according to a small study in the journal Menopause. However, jumping into super-intense workouts might have the opposite effect. A 2024 report from the Menopause Society found that sudden spikes in physical activity — doing way more than your usual routine — can trigger hot flashes in the short term. The key is consistency over intensity: building up your fitness gradually with steady, regular workouts rather than dramatic increases in activity. Try stress-reduction techniques Stress doesn't just mess with your mood — it can boost the intensity and frequency of hot flashes. That's because stress hormones like cortisol can further throw off your already sensitive internal thermostat. Evidence-backed methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and clinical hypnosis can make a real dent. In one randomized controlled trial of more than 180 postmenopausal women, those who received regular hypnosis saw a 74% drop in hot flash frequency and severity compared with a control group. Another proven option? Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) — think meditation, body scans or guided breathing. A 2025 systematic review found that women practicing MBIs reported better sleep, improved mood, reduced anxiety and stress and a general boost in quality of life. Bonus: These practices are safe, accessible and easy to stick with. Consider medications "If hot flashes are severely interfering with daily life, sleep or mood — and lifestyle changes aren't helping — it's time to consider medical intervention," says Dr. Andrea Matsumura, board-certified sleep medicine physician and cofounder of the Portland Menopause Collective in Oregon. "Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective option for those who are good candidates." If you're not a candidate for HRT, due to a history of breast cancer, blood clots or heart disease, other options include: Veozah: A newer, FDA-approved medication that helps reduce hot flashes by triggering temperature-regulating neurons in the brain. SSRIs and SNRIs: Low doses of certain antidepressants (like paroxetine or venlafaxine) can lessen hot flashes by calming the part of the brain that controls body temperature. Gabapentin: Originally used to treat seizures and nerve pain, this med has also proved to help with hot flashes — especially at night. Cooling products for hot-flash relief Will the just-right buy from Amazon cure you of hot flashes? If only! But certain cool-down products can help. Ross recommends using breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics — whether in clothes or bedsheets — and investing in a fan for your bedside to combat pesky night sweats. Here are a few more cooling products to consider: Hot flashes can feel like an uncontrollable force taking over your body, but you have more power than you might think. The right mix of lifestyle tweaks, smart cooling strategies and medical backup when you need it can help you regain control. Every woman's experience is different, so work with your healthcare provider to figure out what combination will help you feel like yourself again. Meet the experts Sherry Ross, MD, ob-gyn at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Rhonda Voskuhl, MD, a neurologist for the Comprehensive Menopause Care Program at UCLA Andrea Matsumura, MD, board-certified sleep medicine physician and co-founder of the Portland Menopause Collective in Oregon Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mary Claire Haver
Credit - Eric McCandless—Disney/Getty Images Fifteen percent of women glide through menopause. Dr. Mary Claire Haver was not among them, suffering debilitating hot flashes and sleepless nights. She also noticed that, even though the condition will affect about half the population, information on how to manage symptoms was hard to find. (Last year, a British study showed that only 9% of women felt informed enough to handle menopause.) So, the telegenic Dr. Haver, a board-certified ob-gyn based in Texas, stepped into the breach. In 2021, she opened her own clinic in Galveston; in 2023, she published a book on menopause diets; and in 2024, she followed up with The New Menopause, a comprehensive guide for women. Both sold briskly, but it's on social media where the 56-year-old's advice really lands—particularly on Instagram, where she speaks to her nearly 3 million followers, offering advice and talking through the latest research. Her guidance is considered aggressive by some menopause experts—she's an advocate for hormone therapy—and her promotion of her own supplements and diet plans has raised eyebrows. But her intelligence and candor have made her a staple for the 45-and-over set. As she told TIME last year, 'This is a time when we should be living our best lives.' Data and insights powered by #paid Contact us at letters@
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
If Most People Get HPV at Some Point, Do You Need to Tell Partners You Have It?
The sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV) is really, really, ridiculously common. Roughly 13 million people get it each year, according to CDC data, and it's safe to assume that if you're sexually active, you will likely have it at some point in your life—giving it the dubious honor of being the most common STI. There are many strains of the virus, most of which aren't dangerous and have no symptoms, so you can get it and get over it (your body fights and clears it on its own) without ever knowing. It also means you can unknowingly give it to someone else—which is a big part of the reason it's seemingly everywhere. Indeed, it might seem like since HPV is all around us, there's no real need to inform your sexual partners if you have it. They either have it, too, or are bound to at some point, right? So why make it awkward? "It's a bit of a quandary—there are so many different strains of HPV that most people have had at least one," Idries Abdur-Rahman, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn, tells SELF. Plus, you can only get tested for the virus if you have a vagina, so depending on who you're telling, they may not even be able to find out whether they have it, too, Dr. Abdur-Rahman explains (more on that later). Those factors combined with the fact that HPV is often harmless means it's natural to wonder if speaking up is worth it, he says. But the truth is that, although HPV is common, certain strains of the virus can be dangerous. And as with any STI, there's a certain amount of honesty you owe to a partner if you know that you may pass something along to them—even if it seems like it's probably NBD. Here's what you need to know before you give yourself permission to keep mum. Many of the 200-plus viruses that fall under the HPV umbrella won't harm you at all, and you'll never know you had one because they often clear from your system all on their own, Antonio Pizarro, MD, an ob-gyn, urogynecologist, and female pelvic medicine expert in Shreveport, LA, tells SELF. But there are several strains—usually types 6 and 11—that cause genital warts, or little clusters of flat or raised bumps you can pass to a partner. Wart-causing strains are considered 'low-risk,' because they rarely cause cancer but in some cases, they might. And there are 12 'high-risk' types of HPV that can cause cancer of the vagina, vulva, penis, anus, head, and neck. Of those, types 16 and 18 are to blame for most HPV-related cases of cancer, including cervical cancer. If you know that you are HPV positive, chances are it's one of these higher-risk strains: HPV tests don't screen for every 200-plus virus; they only look for a dozen or so strains that are more likely to cause cancer. But having one of these types doesn't automatically mean you'll develop any health issues. In fact, chances are, you'll still clear the infection and be HPV-free with no lingering effects. "Unless it causes untreated cancer, HPV is not lethal, and it's very likely to simply go away on its own," Dr. Pizarro reiterates. However, "even if a person—male or female—who's been exposed doesn't develop cancer, HPV can be passed on to subsequent partners and lead to cancer for them. This needs to be disclosed the way any other STD needs to be disclosed," Dr. Pizarro says. An HPV test is done as part of routine cervical cancer screening…which means you have to have a cervix to ever learn if you do, in fact, have HPV. For the test, your ob-gyn will swab the inside of your vagina and way up into the cervix, collecting a sample of secretions, and sending it to a lab. A Pap smear, which is done the same way, tests for changes in cervical cells and not the HPV virus specifically—but typically, an abnormal result is highly suggestive of HPV. The recommendations for when to get which test are a little confusing, but the most likely guideline your ob-gyn will follow is that of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which advises anyone with a cervix aged 21 to 29 is screened with a Pap every 3 years, and then from age 30 to 65, with an HPV test every 5 years. Alternative options include getting a Pap every 3 years or getting a combined HPV/Pap (called a co-test) every 5 years. But there's no commercially available HPV or HPV-adjacent test for people with penises, Dr. Lew notes. 'They have done studies on HPV in [cis] men, so a test must exist, but it's not a test you could go into a doctor's office and ask for,' Dr. Lew says. Since HPV is asymptomatic until it progresses to the point of causing cancer—unlike other STIs that might cause pain during urination or discharge, prompting someone to seek medical care—if you aren't subject to cervical cancer screening, you'll likely go your entire life never knowing you have or had it. The exception: 'If you genital warts, then you can assume you have some version of HPV,' says Dr. Lew. The wart-causing strains of the virus are not usually the same ones that cause abnormal Pap smears and cancer, but it's still good to know and important to disclose to your partner that you have a form of HPV that causes genital warts. (Because reminder: In some situations, these strains can turn into cancer, which is why they are called 'low-risk' and not 'no-risk.') Although people with penises are often none the wiser if a partner gives them HPV, they can also still end up getting cancer: About 40% of HPV-related cancers happen in cis men. If you have one of the higher-risk strains, it could put your partner at risk for several types of cancer, and telling them gives them the chance to talk to their doctor and keep a closer eye on their health. It also lets them know that they might be at risk of passing that scarier strain on to future partners. To be honest, safe sex isn't guaranteed to fully prevent you getting any STIs (though it's certainly better than doing nothing). But since HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, barriers like dental dams and condoms don't protect you from getting it during sex as much as they do against STIs passed via mucous membranes and bodily fluids, like syphilis and gonorrhea. 'Condoms do help protect against HPV infection,' Jennifer Lew, MD, an ob-gyn at Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group, tells SELF. 'But like all STIs, they can't offer complete protection because they are only covering a small section of the body parts that come in contact [during sex],' she explains. Ultimately, though, 'it's the best we have for protecting yourself or your partner,' so it's always a good idea to use protection, despite its imperfections. So, how can you protect yourself and others? Well, abstinence is always an option (albeit an impractical one). Because HPV can infect multiple areas of the body, this would mean not having vaginal, oral, or anal sex…ever. Limiting your sexual partners can also reduce your exposure. The best way to avoid any of the risky types of the virus is by getting the HPV vaccine, which protects against the two low-risk wart-causing strains and seven of the ones that cause the majority of cancers. It's approved for all genders, FYI. The vaccine is most effective when taken before you're sexually active and exposed to HPV, but is approved for people up to 45. If you weren't vaccinated earlier in life, talk to your doctor about whether it's a good option for you. So many people have HPV. 'It's not a badge of shame,' Dr. Pizarro says, so telling someone doesn't need to be a huge production. 'I would just bring it up as saying you've tested positive for HPV, it's super common, and a lot of people have it," he says. Dr. Lew is a proponent of always disclosing HPV to your partner, if you know you have it. 'It brings honesty to the relationship,' she says. It can also bring up some sticky feelings—including guilt on one partner's part, if they could have been the one to give it to the other unknowingly. It's important to remember, and perhaps communicate to your partner, that the majority of people have had HPV and it's almost impossible to track who gave it to whom and when…so it's likely just counterproductive to focus on that. Talking to your partner about an HPV diagnosis may also prompt a larger conversation about STIs and encourage you both to get a full panel done. It's never a bad idea to check in and get a test every now and then to make sure everyone is healthy and safe. If you're apprehensive, scared, angry, or feeling any other emotion after an HPV diagnosis, lean on your ob-gyn for assurance and guidance. Figuring out what HPV means for your health and sex life can be immensely confusing, thanks in large part to the fact that there are so many different strains. If you're not totally sure what to make of all this information, you're not alone. Even ob-gyns have different ways of thinking about the potential risks, so be sure to bring up any questions or concerns with your own doctor who can discuss your specific diagnosis. Related: Is There an Age Limit for the HPV Vaccine—and How Effective Is It for Adults? You Can Absolutely Get an STI From Oral Sex These Are the Only Kinds of Birth Control That Also Protect Against STIs Get more of SELF's great service journalism delivered right to your inbox. Originally Appeared on Self
CBC
12-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
Obstetrical, gynecological care patient complaints on the rise in Ontario, says patient ombudsman
New data shows more people are filing complaints about obstetrical and gynecological care in Ontario, with insensitivity, poor communication and lack of trauma awareness among the most common grievances. Ontario's Patient Ombudsman Craig Thompson says his office received 168 complaints between April 2024 and March 2025, compared to 130 over the same period the previous year — a 29 per cent increase. Complainants also detailed experiencing a lack of responsive care to factors such as history of sexual assault, pregnancy complications, miscarriages, and difficult births. Many complaints were related to pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care provided in hospitals, he said. There's also been an increase in complaints regarding services at community surgical and diagnostic centres that do ultrasounds, X-rays and surgical procedures. Complaints are filed online, by email, fax or mail, and then reviewed by the ombudsman, who engages with both parties to reach a resolution. National data from the Canadian Medical Protective Association suggests patient complaints across medical disciplines are on the rise, with more than 4,045 in 2020, up from 3,379 in 2016. They said many complaints showed communication was an underlying issue. The Ontario ombudsman's data will be published later this year in an annual report on the overall number and themes of health-system complaints, but Thompson shared the ob-gyn numbers with The Canadian Press in the wake of an investigation published last week that included several patients alleging neglectful care going back almost a decade by the same Toronto doctor. The patients described traumatic experiences while under the care of ob-gyn Dr. Esther Park, with some alleging they were not adequately informed about certain procedures performed at her clinic and the hospital she worked at for 25 years. Dr. Park stopped practising medicine in April. Attempts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful. WATCH | Toronto gynecologist linked to hepatitis, HIV exposure resigns: Toronto gynecologist linked to hepatitis, HIV exposure resigns 1 month ago Duration 2:55 In the ombudsman's last annual report released in March, the number of obstetrical and gynecological-related complaints in the province was described as an "emerging concern" that Thompson said he would continue to monitor. No confirmation of broader investigation of ob-gyn complaints While Thompson said the way women's health is delivered in Ontario has been an issue for many years, he said what's new is the number of grievances about obstetrics and gynecology, and the nature of the complaints. "We are in that role of a bit of the canary in the coal mine. We identify early signals of a problem," he said, explaining that annual reports are shared with the province's ministries of health, long-term care, and relevant health agencies. The patient ombudsman's role was created by the provincial government in 2016 to help resolve complaints and conduct investigations on issues of public interest. Thompson calls his office the "last resort" for patients who are not satisfied with a hospital's response to a complaint, and who need help reaching a resolution. But he also tries to pinpoint if a broader issue needs to be investigated and what can be done. Thompson said he tries to determine: "Where's the breakdown? Is this a breakdown in policy? Is this a breakdown in education or training of our team? Is this a breakdown in practice? Is the practice that we've adopted not meeting the mark?" He would not disclose if he's conducting a broader investigation of obstetrical and gynecological care complaints. His last report included two pages on the practice, identifying "broader organizational issues, including a lack of trauma-informed care approaches that, if addressed, could improve the experiences of patients and their families." Doctor helping integrate trauma-informed approach in hospitals Dr. Heather Millar, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Women's College Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, says a trauma-informed approach begins with an awareness of how common painful childhood memories, sexual assaults and triggering medical encounters are. It also includes strategies to avoid traumatizing or retraumatizing a patient. She said she first came across the method in 2015. "I was working with a physician at the time who used trauma-informed care principles and I realized that this was something that we should all be doing and that really should be implemented across our specialty," Millar said. The premise is to treat each patient as though they have a trauma history, for instance asking permission before touching them and covering their bodies during an exam to facilitate an environment that feels safe. Since then, Millar has been helping integrate the approach at hospitals, including within Mount Sinai's obstetric emergency training, and she teaches trauma-informed care to residents at the University of Toronto. She's also working on national guidelines with the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) to formally implement this approach as a standard of care. "We're much more conscious now of how common trauma is in the general population … and also how the encounters and procedures in our specialty can be traumatic for people," she said, referencing vaginal exams that can feel invasive, and emergencies during deliveries, which may trigger painful memories. Trauma-informed care was not talked about Dr. Glenn Posner, vice chair of education for the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Ottawa, said when he was a resident more than 20 years ago, trauma-informed care was not talked about. But now, he sees residents bring this sensitive approach to their patients, for instance asking for permission multiple times before an exam, or showing them how a speculum feels on their leg before using it. But the stressful demands of the job and sheer volume of patients can at times hinder sensitive communication, and can translate into body language that patients will pick up on, he said. "Having a conversation with somebody with your hand on the door knob is perceived as you're rushing them. But you can spend the same amount of time or even less if you come in, pull up a chair, sit down." Similarly, Millar said there are small changes that can make patients feel more in control, such as raising the head of a hospital bed so that the physician can make eye-contact with them throughout an exam. Ministry of health responds to complaints In response to an email from The Canadian Press containing the ombudsman's new data, the ministry of health said it expects every hospital and health-care partner to uphold the highest standard of patient care. They referenced existing patient safety legislation and regulation, but did not say what they would do about the increase in obstetrical and gynecological complaints. "One complaint about the safety of care is too many," a spokesperson for the ministry of health said in a statement. The SOGC said it would not comment on the data since it has not seen the full report. The head of an advocacy group that speaks out on behalf of patients says she's seen similar reports for years without any investment in changes. "I am not surprised that there are more complaints that are coming in this particular area of practice," said Kathleen Finlay, chief executive officer of the Center for Patient Protection. Finlay, who has worked as a patient advocate for almost 20 years, said she often hears ob-gyn patients say, "They didn't listen to me. I had a lot of concerns and I felt I was just being rushed through the process. My questions weren't being answered." She said not enough is being done at the regulatory level to make changes to improve patient experience. "There are many issues that are, from a woman's perspective, very traumatic and so much of it is about not being treated with the respect that they deserve."
CBC
31-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Ob-gyns pen letter warning of 'unsafe' maternity conditions at Kelowna General Hospital
Days after Interior Health announced the pediatric unit at Kelowna General Hospital would be closed for at least six weeks due to staffing shortages, a group of ob-gyn doctors are now warning the maternity ward is on the verge of collapse this weekend for the same reason. CBC's Michelle Morton has more.
