Women and HIV/AIDS - symptoms

Symptoms that could serve as warning signals of HIV infection may go ignored because many women do not perceive themselves at risk. Symptoms include recurrent yeast infections (vaginal candidiasis), pelvic inflammatory disease, abnormal changes or dysplasia (growth and presence of precancerous cells) in cervical tissue, genital ulcers, genital warts, and severe mucosal herpes infections may also accompany HIV infection in women.

It is possible for a person infected with HIV to show no signs of infection. For women, the most common symptoms of exposure to the HIV virus are frequent or severe vaginal infections, abnormal PAP smears, or pelvic infections (PID) that are difficult to treat.

Within a few weeks of having been infected, many people have flu-like symptoms. However, in some cases, symptoms do not show for many years. As the infection progresses, some symptoms can include 1) swollen lymph glands in the neck, underarm, or groin area, 2) recurrent fever including "night sweats," 3) rapid weight loss for no apparent reason, 4) constant tiredness, 5) diarrhea and decreased appetite, 6) white spots or unusual blemishes in the mouth.

Since women constitute the most rapidly growing segment of the HIV-infected population in the United States, AIDS prevention is particularly important for women's health. HIV is transmitted through bodily secretions, like blood and semen. Using injection drugs, having unprotected sex with someone who has used injection drugs, having unprotected sex with a man who has had sex with another man, and having multiple sex partners all increase the chances of acquiring HIV. According to the FDA, the best way to protect yourself against HIV is abstinence from sexual intercourse and illegal drug use. If you have intercourse, be sure it is with one uninfected partner or that you properly use barrier methods such as condoms and dental dams. Currently, there is no known cure for HIV/AIDS. The best treatment right now seems to be prescription "cocktails," or combinations of prescription drugs. These medications include those for antiviral treatment and other drugs, like oral antifungals to combat yeast infections, which fight diseases that take advantage of the weakened immune response of HIV-infected people. It is also important for HIV-infected women and their physicians to watch for pelvic inflammatory disease or other STDs through screening. Similarly, cervical cancer may be more common and progress more quickly in infected women; for this reason, women with HIV should have Pap Smears twice a year to make sure cancer is detected and treated early. Very few women with HIV were included in early studies of the epidemic, but in 1994, women accounted for 18% of adult participants in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. Studies are focusing on clinical signs of HIV infection in women and on the relationships between pregnancy and HIV. Researchers are investigating "female-controlled" methods of protection by developing creams or gels that women would apply before intercourse to protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. There is no conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of contraceptive films as a HIV-transmission prevention tool. Most babies born to HIV-infected women escape the virus, but 1 in 4 do become infected before or during birth or through breast-feeding, although no one is certain when viral transmission occurs. Transmission may also be linked to the mother's health during the pregnancy or birth. There are more viruses during the earliest stages of AIDS than later, for example. Currently, physicians may prescribe drug Retrovir (AZT) for infected pregnant women to reduce rates of transmission; effectiveness of this therapy increases the earlier HIV is diagnosed during the course of infection or before or after pregnancy. Yes, it can. HIV can be transmitted through the exchange of body fluids (e.g. blood, semen, saliva, and vaginal secretions). HIV is transmittable through all forms of sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, and anal) when one or both partners are infected with HIV. Oral sex without a latex condom places you at risk of exposure to HIV. It should also be noted that pre-ejaculation fluid can carry HIV and it can be absorbed into the thin mucous linings of the mouth. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that during oral sex, a latex condom should be used to decrease risk of exposure.

View the original article here

Why Women Have More Migraines:

Your head is throbbing severely, probably only on one side. Any light or sound only makes it worse, and you may be feeling nauseated. The excruciating pain is almost unbearable. The slightest movement only intensifies the pain. Maybe you are having visual symptoms such as flashing lights or an aura, as well. You are having a migraine headache. Although you feel like it's the end of the world, and no one can understand what you are going through. You are not alone. Twenty-eight million Americans suffer from migraine headaches.

There is no cure for migraines. However, there is hope for effective relief and a significant reduction in the severity and number of migraine headaches you suffer. The first step is getting an accurate diagnosis from your physician. Unfortunately, only about half of migraine sufferers are diagnosed, and even less receive proper treatment, according to the American Migraine Study II.

Who gets migraines? Boys experience more migraines than girls prior to puberty, however, after age 11 girls begin to experience the majority of migraine headaches. The increase in the incidence of migraine in girls over boys continues to rise until adulthood when women experience migraine headaches 3 to 1 over men.

Why do so many more women than men suffer from migraine headaches? While it is improbable that sex hormones can completely explain the difference, there is significant evidence that there may be a connection between migraines and fluctuations in estrogen levels in women. The problem appears to be the response of the central nervous system to normal hormonal fluctuations. Women who suffer from migraines should understand that hormonal fluctuations are normal.

Women often experience their first migraine headache during their teen years, most occurring with the onset of menstruation. The highest incidence of migraine occurs in women around the age of 40. Fortunately, for most women, aging and menopause often reduces the frequency of migraines.

Although, headaches are common at the time of menstruation, not all of these headaches can be classified as migraine. Menstrual migraines occur, usually without aura, and are headaches that occur only during the period of 2 days before and 2 days after the onset of menstruation. They occur most frequently on the first day of your period, while premenstrual syndrome (PMS) related headaches usually end with the onset of menstruation.

Will oral contraceptives (OCs) help women with migraines? Or will migraines become worse? Women who use oral contraceptives may be surprised to learn that OCs may actually be a trigger for migraine. Some women may find their migraines are alleviated after starting oral contraceptives, while others find their migraine attacks are getting worse premenstrually.

So, women who have migraines that are worsened by oral contraceptives should quit taking them? Unfortunately the answer is not that easy. While stopping OC use may provide relief eventually, it can sometimes take up to 12 months after discontinuing the pill before improvement is noted. On a personal note, the number of migraines I have experienced in the last 11 years since having my tubes tied and stopping OCs have dropped dramatically. I was a regular (severe, go to bed, turn off the lights, put a pillow over my head, and don't anyone make a sound) migraine sufferer from my teens until my early thirties. Although I still have occasional non-migraine headaches I can't remember the last time I had a severe migraine headache.

Are there any risks for women who use OCs and suffer from migraine headaches? This a subject of much discussion because of the increased risk of stroke in women who use oral contraceptives. The risk of stoke in migraine patients appears to be higher in women who use OCs, have high blood pressure, and/or smoke. This is particularly true with the older high-dose oral contraceptives. The best advice for women who have migraines and want to use oral contraceptives is to use the lowest effective dose of estrogen because the risk appears to be estrogen-related, rather than progestin-related.

Next: Migraine Triggers

Source:

Mirgrane Information. NINDS. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm. Accessed 08/24/2009.

View the original article here

Urinary Incontinence in Women

Do any other women wet themselves? I suffer from urge incontinence and sometimes can't make it to the toilet in time it happened to me at the airport last week I found the toilets in time but as I was undoing my belt I completely flooded my Jeans and had to sit in wet pants for the three hour flight on a trash bag to protect the seat, very embarassing. Can anyone else share stories like this? I feel so alone.-- About Women's Health Forum
Join this discussion!

The fact is that she is far from alone, more than 13 million people in the United States--male and female, young and old--experience incontinence. Many times it is temporary, and it always results from an underlying medical condition.

Women experience incontinence two times more often than men. Pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, and the structure of the female urinary tract account for this difference. But both women and men can become incontinent from strokes, multiple sclerosis, and physical problems associated with old age.

Older women, more often than younger women, experience incontinence. But incontinence is not inevitable with age. Incontinence is treatable and often curable at all ages. If you experience incontinence, you may feel embarrassed. It may help you to remember that loss of bladder control can be treated. You will need to overcome your embarrassment and see a doctor to learn if you need treatment for an underlying medical condition.

Incontinence in women usually occurs because of problems with muscles that help to hold or release urine. The body stores urine--water and wastes removed by the kidneys--in the bladder, a balloon-like organ. The bladder connects to the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body.

During urination, muscles in the wall of the bladder contract, forcing urine out of the bladder and into the urethra. At the same time, sphincter muscles surrounding the urethra relax, letting urine pass out of the body. Incontinence will occur if your bladder muscles suddenly contract or muscles surrounding the urethra suddenly relax.

Adapted from the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

More About Bladder Control for Women

View the original article here

Depression Drug Helps Women Wi

Low sex drive affects at least one out of five women in the United States. A study presented at this year's American Psychiatric Association meeting found that bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets may be an effective treatment for some women who suffer from hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). There is currently no approved drug treatment for low sex drive in women.

Researchers found that almost one-third of the women in the study responded with increases in the number of episodes of sexual arousal, sexual fantasy, and interest in engaging in sexual activity. Women included in the study were aged 23 to 65 and had experienced HSDD for an average of six years. Participants saw improvement as early as two weeks after beginning treatment.

R. Taylor Segraves, M.D., Ph.D., lead investigator and professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine said, "The results of this study are encouraging. One aspect that demonstrated a substantial improvement was that by the end of the treatment phase nearly 40 percent reported being satisfied with their sexual desire, whereas 100 percent were dissatisfied before starting treatment."

Although a person diagnosed with HSDD can still function sexually, the disorder is characterized by a combination of factors including persistently diminished or absent sexual fantasies or desire for sexual activity. Low sex drive is a condition that can cause both emotional distress and problems in intimate relationships, according to Dr. Segraves.

Bupropion hydrochloride SR enhances the presence of neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine, in the brain and is not associated with the sexual side effects often experienced by patients using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) anti-depressants such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.

It may be, but even Dr. Segraves agrees that more research is needed on the use of this drug as a treatment for HSDD. The drug is currently approved for the treatment of depression and is marketed as Wellbutrin SR by Glaxo Wellcome Inc.

View the original article here

Women Talk About Abnormal Uter

"4 months ago I had my baby via c-section due to a placenta previa. During the surgery we had some complications and my uterus had to be removed however, my cervix and ovaries were left in place. Now common sense tells me no uterus, no periods... However every 4 weeks I still have some spotting for 4-5 days. Has anyone else experienced this or would anyone know why this happens?" Has this happened to you? "I am 45 and recently started on hormones (Prempro) and Premarin. I am experiencing irregular breakthrough spotting which consists of what looks like old and very dark, clotty blood - sounds horrible I know! Is this normal? My doctor mentioned that I might experience some of this type thing for a few months while I am leveling out, but this has been an every day thing now. Clears for a day or two, then comes back." Have you experienced bleeding on HRT? "Has this ever happened to you? For several years while I was pre-menopausal, it seemed that doing sit-ups would bring on menstrual bleeding. Although I am now post-menopausal, I have been taking hormones and having occasional bleeding. I did some modified sit-ups yesterday, and today I have bleeding and cramps. I have regular gynecological check-ups, and no abnormalities have been found. Any suggestions?" Has this ever happened to you? "I was recently diagnosed with menorrhagia and my doctor put me on Orthocyclen to help regulate things. I was wondering if anyone else has been put on the pill to help menstrual disorders and how long it took before you saw any results. " Has your doctor prescribed the pill for abnormal bleeding?

More About Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

View the original article here

Women Talk About Fibroid Tumor

I found out 2 weeks ago that I have 3 Uterine Fibroid Tumors inside my uterus. Two are small,the big one measures 6 cm and my uterus measures 7 cm. They are concerned because the big one grew fast, which could mean cancer. Is it possible for a Fibroid to grow that big in just a few months? I am going to have my uterus taken out in about 1-2 weeks... Does she really need a hysterectomy? I'm 35 and just found out that I have a fibroid tumor it is 3.5 centimeters in size... I am in desperate need of help if not medically, then emotionally... it's really painful to have a relationship with my husband... If there is anyone out there that has gone or is going through this please let me know how you deal with this on a day to day basis? How do you cope with fibroids? I took Lupron for 1 month for fibroids. I bleed the whole time while on it. It never stopped my period... decided to give up dairy, beef ( minimal animal fat) caffeine and tried to sick to a low fat diet with whole grains and had fibroid shrinkage. ...I also would like to know if anyone has had a false pregnancy test while on Lupron? The test say no but my symptoms say yes so I'm wondering could it be Lupron in my system causing the negative result. Have you taken Lupron? I am 46 years old, I have been told I have a fibroid tumor, the size of a fifteen week fetus. My gynecologist has recommended a hysterectomy, because of the size of the fibroid tumor. I haven't experienced any noticeable symptoms caused by the tumor. My periods are normal, I have no abnormal bleeding. I have been told that because of the size of the tumor, that abdominal hysterectomy is my only option. My question is, are there any alternatives? Have you had an alternative procedure? I have uterine fibroids. The first time, they...were relatively easily removed... they recurred. This time they are in the uterine wall... I've been mostly symptom free for months... I don't have the bleeding problems I was having. I do have bloating pretty regularly... My question is this: I am trying to get pregnant. My doctor said I shouldn't have a problem getting pregnant or maintaining a pregnancy, I'd have a slightly greater risk of miscarriage. I'd like to hear from other women who have been thru this and get an idea what to expect... Did you have fibroids during pregnancy? I went to the doctor today because of a large mass... It starts at my pubic bone and goes all the way up to my navel. It does not hurt at all, but for the 2 weeks before my period my back aches and I get constipated, and my periods are very heavy. Now, the doctor mentioned 2 things, fibroids and colon. Of course I'm praying for the fibroids. I figure if it was the colon, with the size of this thing I would be very sick. And besides the backache I feel fine... If anyone has any experience here, please let me know something, I'm very nervous. Does this sound like fibroids? I have a calcified fibroid tumor in my bladder. I had x-rays taken when I went in to complain about leg pain, the x-ray tech said there was something on my bladder, doctor did not mention it. I went to the chiropractor and he took x-rays and had a radiologist read it and said it was a calcified fibroid tumor... The chiropractor tried to call him and discuss it but wouldn't return call... any ideas, has anyone else had a calcified fibroid tumor? Have you had a calcified fibroid tumor? if(zSbL

View the original article here

Hair Loss in Women

The advertisements for treatment of balding and hair loss in men can't be missed. These ads might lead one to believe that hair loss is generally an issue affecting men. However, the fact is that as many as two-thirds of all women experience hair loss at some point.

Fortunately, hair loss in women typically does not result in complete baldness, as is often the case with men.

The role of estrogen in hair growth -- at least in humans -- is not clear. Both oral and topical estrogens are prescribed by physicians to treat hair loss in women, although there are no controlled studies to support this use of estrogen.

Dr. Vera H. Price, a researcher who examined hair loss and treatments for the two most common types of hair loss -- androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata, warns that women who choose to use oral contraceptives to treat hair loss should take care to select one with little or no androgenic activity, such as norgestimate or ethynodiol diacetate. She also warns that women with androgenetic aplopecia should not use testosterone or androgen precursors such as DHEA.

Alopecia areata is an immune disease that affects almost 2% of the population in the United States. This type of hair loss appears in various degrees of severity -- from small, round patches of hair loss that regrow without medical treatment, to chronic, extensive hair loss that can involve the loss of all hair on the scalp or body. This type of hair loss affects both genders equally and can occur at any age, although it occurs most often in children and young adults.

Treatment of this type of hair loss includes therapies such as glucocorticoids, topical immunotherapy, anthralin, or biologic-responce modifiers, such as Minoxidil. The choice of treatment depends on your age, as well as the extent of hair loss. Milder cases often see a greater improvement with treatment than severe cases.

In no case does treatment restore full hair in patients with 100% scalp or body hair loss.

Androgenetic alopecia in men is what is known as male-pattern baldness -- hair loss that starts at the front of the scalp and recedes backward over time, and hair in the center of the scalp thins and falls out. In women, this instead results in uniform hair thinning.

Women who develop androgenetic alopecia may be suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome.

There are several misconceptions about this type of hair loss, so let's dig into them more closely here:

Myth: Hair loss is inherited from your fatherFact: Both parents' genes are a factor.Androgenetic aplopecia is genetically-linked hair thinning.Myth: Female pattern hair loss causes abnormal bleeding.Fact: Menstruation is not affected.Hair loss typically begins between the ages of 12 and 40.Myth: Extensive hormonal evaluation is required.Fact: Hormonal evaluation is only required if the patient is also experiencing irregular periods, infertility, hirsutism, cystic acne, virilization, or glactorrhea.Androgenetic aplopecia usually doesn't cause menstrual issues or interfere with pregnancy or endocrine function.Myth: Teasing, using hair color, other products, or frequently washing hair increases hair loss.Fact: Normal hair care doesn't affect hair loss.The only drug approved for promoting hair growth in women is Minoxidil.

View the original article here

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS in Women

Answer: While it's possible that a woman infected with HIV -- the virus that causes AIDS, could display no symptoms, it's more typical that women infected with HIV will experience some subtle signs and symptoms of HIV that they may not perceive as warning signs of HIV infection. The three most common symptoms experienced by women after exposure to HIV are: Frequent or severe vaginal infections Abnormal Pap smears Pelvic infections such as PID that are difficult to treat

Other signs and symptoms of HIV infection include:

Frequently, women exposed to HIV experience flu-like symptoms within a couple of weeks of becoming infected. In other cases, there are no symptoms for many years.

As the infection progresses, it is not uncommon to experience symptoms such as: Swollen lymph glands in the neck, underarm area, or groin Frequent fevers that include night sweats Rapid weight loss without dieting Constant fatigue Decreased appetite and diarrhea White spots or abnormal blemishes in the mouth

View the original article here