Category Archives: Hormone Replacement Therapy

Breast cancer affects millions of women around the world. In the United States alone, it is estimated that one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. While there are many factors that can contribute to the development of this disease, some lifestyle choices and habits can play a significant role. Read on to find out moreand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

One of the best ways to catch breast cancer early is to perform regular self-examinations. This allows you to become familiar with how your breasts look and feel so that you can more easily spot any changes.

Screening mammograms are an important tool in the early detection of breast cancer. These tests can often find tumors that are too small to be felt by hand.

Women who don't get regular mammograms are at a higher risk of developing this disease. If you're over the age of 50, it's important to get a mammogram every two years. You may need to get them more frequently if you have a family history of breast cancer.

One of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer is to avoid smoking. Tobacco use is linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer. Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products increases your risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, studies have shown that women who smoke have a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of developing this disease.

If you currently smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Another bad habit that can lead to breast cancer is excessive drinking. Alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing this disease. If you drink alcohol, it's important to do so in moderation. Women who drink more than three alcoholic beverages per week have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who don't drink.

A poor diet can also contribute to the development of breast cancer. Eating a diet high in processed and red meats has been linked to an increased risk of this disease. Conversely, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce your risk. It's also important to maintain a healthy weight and avoid excessive weight gain. Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for breast cancer since excess fat tissue can produce hormones that can promote the growth of cancer cells.

Getting regular exercise is another important way to reduce your risk of breast cancer. Studies have shown that women who are physically active have a lower risk of developing this disease. Women who exercise for at least 30 minutes per day have a significantly lower risk than those who don't get any exercise.

Certain birth control methods have also been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Oral contraceptives that contain estrogen and progestin can slightly increase your risk. This is especially true if you use them for 10 or more years. If you're concerned about the risks associated with birth control, talk to your doctor about other options.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is another factor that can contribute to the development of breast cancer. HRT is often used to relieve symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. This treatment can also help prevent osteoporosis. However, HRT has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. If you're considering HRT, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.

While there are many factors that can contribute to the development of breast cancer, some lifestyle choices and habits can play a significant role. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating a poor diet are all bad habits that can increase your risk. Getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are good ways to reduce your risk. Certain birth control methods and hormone replacement therapies can also contribute to the development of this disease. If you have any of these risk factors, it's important to talk to your doctor about them. And to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Gethin Williams MD Ph.D. is the Medical Director of Imaging & Interventional Specialists.

Gethin Williams, MD, Ph.D

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8 Bad Habits Leading to Breast Cancer Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

LGBTQ patients are at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections, HIV and certain cancers. Community Health Network primary care physician Dr. Mike Giffen said LGBTQ friendly health providers are crucial in reducing these health disparities.

LGBTQ patients are at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections, HIV and certain cancers. Community Health Network primary care physician Dr. Mike Giffen said LGBTQ-friendly health providers are crucial in reducing these health disparities.

If the provider is not open, if the patient's not comfortable and not open, we kind of gloss over a lot of stuff, Giffen said. And that's where a lot of this stuff is missed.

Giffen said trust is key in developing patient-provider relationships that are open and honest, especially if the patient is a member of the LGBTQ community. He said if trust is not built, health disparities in the community will continue.

So that's why this is super important, is to try to kind of break down those disparities and kind of actually level the playing field and get patients the care they deserve, he said.

Giffen said the LGBTQ community also faces higher rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health disparities. As a primary care physician, he helps those in need of hormone replacement therapy, surgery or other gender-affirming medical care. He said he has created a tight-knit community with other LGBTQ-friendly providers across the state.

I've built a nice network of connections of different surgeons and differenttherapists and counselors kind of across the board, Giffen said. Anything of a person who really needs their care.

Giffen said he understands many people are hesitant to get medical care. He said he wants to make sure patients feel comfortable.

People always think they come to a doctor and they need to have a lot of issues and a lot of stuff has to be up front, he said. Meeting with a patient can be literally just a conversation. Hey, it's good to meet you. Let's make sure this is a good, you know, interaction. And if you feel comfortable, we can move forward.

Contact reporter Darian Benson at dbenson@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @helloimdarian.

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Open, honest conversations key in reducing LGBTQ health disparities - WFYI

If you were on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and had to stop when you were diagnosed with breast cancer, you may experience a combination of natural and medical menopause. This so-called cold turkey menopause is the result of the dramatic drop in estrogen that occurs when you suddenly stop HRT.

Although HRT can treat severe menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and fatigue, current or recent past users of HRT have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Thats why its recommended that you stop HRT if you are found to have breast cancer, whether the cancer is hormone-receptor-positive or negative.

Before the link between HRT use and breast cancer risk was found, many postmenopausal women took HRT for many years to ease menopausal symptoms and to reduce bone loss. Since 2002, when research linked HRT and risk, the number of women taking HRT has dropped dramatically. Still, many women continue to use HRT to treat bothersome menopausal symptoms, and our understanding of the impact of HRT on breast cancer risk is still developing. According to the 2013 Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy, the increased risk of breast cancer from HRT is small, and primarily due to (1) how long it is used and (2) taking HRT that includes a progestogen in addition to estrogen (progestogens are a class of hormones that includes progesterone). However, major medical organizations agree that women with a history of breast cancer, as well as those at high risk for the disease, should not take HRT. For more information, visit the Breastcancer.org page onHormone Replacement Therapy.

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Stopping Hormone Replacement Therapy: Cold Turkey Menopause - Breastcancer.org

The U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decimated federally protected abortion rights. Writing for the majority in Dobbs, Justice Clarence Thomas also called on SCOTUS to reconsider constitutional protections for contraceptive access, same-sex marriage, and same-sex intimacy.

Like abortion, gender nonconformity subverts patriarchal control over bodies.

His opinion has prompted many to ask whether queer rights are next. Such inquiries omit the fact that trans rights already face an historic moment of backlash. During the 2022 legislative session, more than forty bills were introduced across a dozen states to restrict, prohibit, and criminalize gender-affirming care (GAC). Alabama attempted to ban hormone replacement therapy (HRT) outright. Texas ruled that child welfare agencies could investigate parents and doctors providing trans youth GAC for child abuse. The passage of transphobic laws governing bathrooms and participation in sports have ostracized trans youth from full participation in society. These and other extreme policies are compounding the disproportionately high levels of suicide and mental health crises among trans youth.

The state of reproductive freedom and trans rights demands upheaval. A core tenet of reproductive justice is the right to raise children in a safe and healthy environment. Bringing children into a world where their gender is both violently policed and potentially criminalized is, simply put, not safe.

Though both types of care involve separate restrictions and stigma, there is far more overlap than meets the eye. Black feminist author Audre Lorde told students in 1982 that there is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives. These words should guide advocates action in fighting for reproductive justice and trans liberation. By realizing the similarities between reproductive and gender-affirming health care, advocates can more effectively address the underlying issues that threaten to destabilize both.

Abortion and trans health care challenge deeply held, hegemonic beliefs about what constitutes supposedly innate gender identities and gender roles. Though many religions hold varying views on abortion and gender mutability, lawmakers have weaponized Christian rhetoric and texts to undermine both.

Despite the fact that abortion is not mentioned in the Bible (and that many Christians receive abortions and support abortion access), Christian beliefs have become synonymous with fetal personhood and the inaccurate framing of abortion as murder. Religious justifications of harsh anti-abortion laws are the product of a decades-long and concerted legislative push to demonize and outlaw abortion. This movement posits abortion as an imminent threat to the structure of the nuclear family, to the nation, and to gender conformity. Children, specifically, are invoked to enact state violence on pregnant people.

Without federal protections, access to abortion care heightens racial and income inequity.

Transgender folks, too, have long been subject to conservative Christian ire. Like abortion, gender nonconformity subverts patriarchal control over bodies. The notion that someone can determine their own gender, rather than abiding by a state and/or religious mandate, is so destabilizing that trans peoples very existence becomes interpreted as deviant. Similar to the sexual aberrance ascribed to queer people through the 1970s, gender deviancy is pathologized to foment moral panic.

Two central fears underlie this moral panic. First, there is a fear that trans people are inherently violent and will attack and/or corrupt children. This assumption rears its ugly head in many arguments against gender-neutral bathrooms and trans visibility, labeling trans adults as pedophiles and groomers.

The second iteration of transphobic panic is the belief that the very existence of trans people is violent. Children are thus understood to be corruptible to gender ideology, whether it be at a drag queen story hour or by encountering books written by queer authors.

The profit-driven U.S. health care system is ill-equipped to provide abortion and gender-affirming care (GAC). As long as the United States maintains employer-based health insurance, necessary but politicized health care is at risk. As a result, abortion and GAC face considerable access issues.

An abundance of research has shown that prior to Dobbs, Roe had symbolicallyor at least functionallyfallen. Increasingly, restrictive abortions laws have forced people seeking abortions to travel long distances to access care, rendering abortion inaccessible for those who cannot take time off of work or pay for transportation and lodging.

Without federal protections, access to abortion care heightens racial and income inequity.

Corporate attempts to rectify these health care disparities fall cravenly short. Amazon is one of many companies that recently pledged up to $4,000 in travel expenses to allow employees to access abortion care. The catch? The policy only applies to employees enrolled in the company-sponsored health plan. Notably lacking from this policy are the scores of contractors, gig workers, and part-time workers who keep Amazon running. Medicaid recipients, too, are ineligible. Questions about how these benefits can be accessed remain: Could individuals face liability for disclosing their intent to terminate a pregnancy?

Amazons announcement does nothing to change the material conditions that restrict abortion access and perpetuate inequity. In fact, the policy escalates inequality by denying care to those who might benefit from financial support the most. Of course, Amazon and its affiliates contribute generously to anti-abortion politicians. Other companies, such as Walmartthe countrys largest private employerfail to extend any coverage for abortion-related costs.

Employee-sponsored health care is similarly ill-equipped to deliver care to trans people seeking GAC. For example, Starbuckss extended coverage for gender-reassignment surgery in 2012. But, corporations can easily exploit trans employees unique vulnerability.

A recent filing with the National Labor Relations Board reveals that Starbucks weaponized health care coverage for trans employees as a part of its anti-union crusade. The complaint alleges that Starbucks threaten[ed] employees with loss of benefits, including access to gender-affirming healthcare. Access to lifesaving care should not be hampered by employers, and employers should not be able to brandish health care as a labor disciplining tool.

There are multiple deliberate and well-financed campaigns to spread misinformation about abortion and gender-affirming health care, which are amplified by a digital ecosystem that is ill-equipped to counter disinformation. Consequently, both types of care are deeply misunderstood.

Rightwing Christian activists have long framed abortion as a gory, dangerous procedure. Images of bloody fetuses abound at the March for Life and on billboards across the country. Former President Donald Trump threw gas on this fire by describing abortion as a plot between the doctor and the mother [to] determine whether or not they will execute the baby.

Bolstering these false and misleading claims about abortion is a well-financed, nationwide, and taxpayer-supported campaign to deceive pregnant people. In 2020, anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centersdesigned to mimic abortion clinicsreceived $4.6 million from the federal government.

GAC, too, has been unfairly maligned and deeply misunderstood, further stigmatizing care for trans youth. Media attempts to frame trans health care as a culture war produce the same effect. Despite being associated with widely positive outcomes, conservative lawmakers baselessly portray HRT as an entirely irreversible treatment which youth are unqualified to pursue. Particularly concerning are the misconceptions surrounding reproductive capability, which again prioritize potential life over the quality of a current one.

The overlap between abortion and trans health care is clear, and restrictions against both disproportionately impact people of color. Trans people, of course, get abortions. Wealth, ability, and citizenship mediate access to both types of care.

A world in which the state mandates strict gender conformity and controls reproductive capacity is not sustainable. Adopting a reproductive justice lens can enable advocates to build better systems of care outside of current oppressive structures.

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What the Reversal of Roe Means for the LGBTQ+ Community - Progressive.org

Hormone Replacement Therapy Market to 2022 Updated with Impact of COVID-19 is latest research study released by Adroit Market Research evaluating the market, highlighting opportunities, risk side analysis, and leveraged with strategic and tactical decision-making support. The study provides information on market trends and development, drivers, capacities, technologies, and on the changing investment structure of the Hormone Replacement Therapy Market to 2030 Updated with Impact of COVID-19 Market.

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Hormone Replacement Therapy Market to 2030 Updated with Impact of COVID-19 Industry Overview:

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Top 10 Hormone Replacement Therapy Industry to Look Out for in 2022 by Abbott Laboratories, Novartis, Pfizer, Inc., Mylan Laboratories - Digital...

Top-rated Caribbean Med School offers the latest research, insights, and resources for med students, healthcare providers, and allies

NEW YORK, June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The University of Medicine and Health Sciences, (UMHS), a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada, today announced that it will host a live stream event, "LGBTQ+ Medicine & Theory: Providing Compassionate Care," on Wednesday, June 22 at 7 pm EDT. The discussion will be led by UMHS alumnus Soren Estvold, MD, MPH, a family medicine physician who specializes in treating LGBTQ+ patients at Augusta University Medical Center in Georgia and a volunteer physician at the Equality Clinic in Augusta, Georgia, a primary care clinic serving mostly transgender patients needing Hormone Replacement Therapy. The event will address key considerations for working with LGBTQ+ patients, describe how to provide compassionate care, offer practical advice for medical professionals and allies, and share resources for patients and providers. Following the presentation, current UMHS student Nisha Shetty will moderate a live Q & A session from the campus on St. Kitts. The event will be live-streamed on the UMHS YouTube channel as well as on the UMHS Facebook and LinkedIn pages. The presentation will also be recorded for future viewing.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Estvold back for a presentation focused on the unique healthcare needs of the LGBTQ+ population at a time when this community is facing renewed attacks and barriers to receiving medical care," said Warren Ross, president of UMHS. "We're proud of Dr. Estvold's accomplishments in LGBTQ+ medicine, and are honored that he has once again agreed to share his insights with our students and offer specific guidance to deliver better health outcomes for LGBTQ+ patients."

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During the "LGBTQ+ Medicine & Theory" event, Dr. Estvold will define "full-spectrum medicine" and highlight the unique healthcare considerations of each subgroup within the community. He will also address the gender minority stress framework and how that impacts LGBTQ+ patients. Additionally, Dr. Estvold will offer insights on how to create an LGBTQ+-friendly practice and share advice for students interested in pursuing a specialty in LGBTQ+ medicine.

The discussion is the latest in a series of live stream events featuring UMHS faculty and alumni sharing their expertise on topics targeted toward current and prospective medical students and healthcare professionals. Past events include:

"Pathways to Practicing Medicine in Canada: UMHS Alumni Share Their Experiences"

"UMHS Women in Medicine: A Conversation About the First Year of Residency,"

"Cardiology: A Discussion About Cardiac Care & Careers in Cardiology,"

"Non-Traditional Medical Students - Medical School Admissions and Residency Advisors Reveal All!",

"Black Women in Medicine: A Conversation About the Black Experience",

"Ask a Microbiologist,"

"Suicide Prevention and the State of Psychiatry." and

"LGBTQ+ Medicine and Theory."

Links to view all past discussions may be found by visiting this link.

To join "LGBTQ+ Medicine & Theory: Providing Compassionate Care," on Wednesday, June 22, at 7 pm EDT visit the UMHS live events and meetings page.

About UMHS The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), is a small, mission-driven medical school with a commitment to student support and a legacy of successful residency placements in the United States and Canada. UMHS was founded in 2007 by medical education pioneers Warren and Robert Ross to deliver a highly personalized school experience. Graduates of UMHS earn a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) and qualify to practice medicine throughout the United States and Canada. Students begin their Basic Science studies in St. Kitts, West Indies, and complete their clinical training in the United States. With an unprecedented 96% student retention rate, the vast majority of students that begin their medical studies at UMHS go on to obtain residencies. For more information, visit https://www.umhs-sk.org/.

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Megan Leer, UMHS, 619-708-9500, meganleerpr@gmail.com

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University of Medicine and Health Sciences to Host "LGBTQ+ Medicine & Theory: Providing Compassionate Care" - Yahoo Finance

Anybody can breathe therefore anyone can practice yoga.T.K.V. Desikachar, yoga guru

Yoga is thousands of year-old discipline to engender mind-body harmony. Most of its development was between 500 BCE and 800 CE. From the 1970s, yoga spread worldwide and has become part of urban culture. The three main practices of Yoga are asana (posture), pranayama (breath control) and dhyana (meditation). Modern Yoga, or yoga in the modern age, is a combination of asanas and gymnastics.

Yoga was a spiritual practice. But in recent times it has emerged as a way to attain health which is defined by the World Health Organisation as complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Health benefits of yoga

Scientific evidence shows that therapeutic yoga has many health benefits. Numerous studies and anecdotal evidence also confirm health benefits of yoga.

Yoga can benefit health in thirty-eight ways. It can relieve back pain, improve heart health, improve strength, coordination, balance and flexibility, reduce inflammation, help in osteopenia, in oncology, and in recovery from surgery, help reduce anxiety and stress, ease arthritis symptoms, help sleep better, give more energy and brighter moods. Yoga may also boost immunity, improve bone health, improve brain functioning, and self-esteem.

Yoga and womens health

Yoga is especially beneficial in certain medical conditions typical to women. Six of these conditions are menopause, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and pregnancy.

Yoga and menopause

Women stop mensurating at a certain age. This condition is menopause. When a woman has not mensurated for twelve consecutive months, she has reached menopause. Natural menopause occurs in 40s or 50s. Premature menopause may occur before the age of 40 if ovaries are damaged, or are surgically removed, or because of medical treatment. After menopause, a woman cannot conceive.

At menopause, ovaries stop producing most of the female hormone estrogen. Low estrogen levels cause thirty-four symptoms. These can be severe (in 20% women), mild (60%) or no symptoms (20%). The symptoms may start during perimenopause, a period of 8-10 years before menopause. After menopause, during the post menopause period, symptoms ease for most women. But for some the symptoms may continue for ten years or longer.

The symptoms during perimenopause are: Heavier or lighter than usual periods Irregular or skipped periods Aggravated premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Breast tenderness.

Main symptoms of menopause are: Frequent urination Night sweats and/or cold flashes Hot flashes Insomnia and sleep disorders Dry vagina, discomfort during sex Dry mouth, eyes, and skin Mild depression, irritation, mood swings

A few women may also have: Joint and muscle aches and pains Hair loss or thinning Racing heart Headaches Weight gain Changes in libido (sex drive) Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses Higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Therapy for menopause symptoms

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), giving estrogen, is the most effective therapy for menopause symptoms. But HRT has many side effects. It also increases the risk of blood clots, certain types of cancer (breast cancer), cardiovascular disease, and strokes. HRT is therefore given only if essential, in smallest doses and for shortest time.

Yogic breathing techniques help women reduce hot flashes and night sweats. And yoga may alleviate insomnia and sleep disorders, depression, irritation, and mood swings, reduce joint and muscle aches and pains, reduce symptoms of severe PMS, reduce risk of CVD, and improve concentration and memory.

Today women in India live forty to fifty percent of their life in peri and post menopause phase. Yoga can help them cope with the symptoms of menopause.

Yoga and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS affects women of reproductive age. It increases the risk of infertility, endometrial and breast cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. But production of excess male hormone androgen and insulin, and certain genes are contributing factors. Treatment for PCOS is weight loss, healthy lifestyle, and some medications.

Yoga reduces testosterone levels, helps weight loss, stimulates reproductive organs, and improves emotional health, and thus limits the complications of PCOS.

Yoga and endometriosis

Endometriosis is caused by abnormal growth of the inner tissue of the uterus. It can cause infertility and chronic pelvic pain (CPP). It has no cure except removal of uterus. Surgical removal of tissues gives only temporary relief. Yoga reduces CPP but does not improve fertility.

Yoga and uterine fibroids and polyps

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors in the female reproductive tract. These are fed by hormones and blood, but the precise cause of their occurrence is unknown.

Yoga does not help shrink fibroids. But doing yoga during menstruation may increase blood flow into uterus and dilate uterine blood vessels. This may cause heavy bleeding and accelerate fibroid growth. Therefore, yoga should not be done during the first three days of period, or if the blood flow is heavy.

Yoga and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) occurs during late luteal phase of menstrual cycle and is relieved after the onset of menstruation. Main symptoms of PMS are mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability, and depression. Three out of four women experience some symptom of PMS. Yoga, can reduce, or relieve, PMS distress

Yoga and pregnancy

Prenatal yoga reduces stress and anxiety, improves sleep, decrease lower back pain, nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath, and increases the strength, flexibility and endurance of muscles needed for childbirth. Yoga also causes increase in babys birth weight, decrease in preterm labor, and decrease in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Hatha yoga and restorative yoga are also viable choice for pregnant women.

But talk to your doctor and to yoga instructor before starting yoga during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Yoga is cost-free and non-invasive. People of all ages benefit from yoga. It is good for womens health and well-being and is beneficial in certain medical conditions typical to women. For best results, integrate yoga with healthy lifestyle, healthy diet, exercise, therapeutic massage, and other stress-reducing measures.

Views expressed above are the author's own.

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International Yoga Day: Womens health & yoga - Times of India

STELLAR-303 is the first phase 3 pivotal trial evaluating XL092, a next-generation oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor

ALAMEDA, Calif., June 21, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) today announced the initiation of STELLAR-303, a phase 3 pivotal trial evaluating XL092 in combination with atezolizumab versus regorafenib in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that is not microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient, who have progressed after or are intolerant to the standard of care therapy. XL092 is a next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in development for multiple advanced tumor types.

"There is a significant need for new treatment options for the majority of metastatic CRC patients, who do not have microsatellite instability-high or mismatch-repair deficient disease and whose tumors do not respond to immunotherapy alone," said Vicki L. Goodman, M.D., Executive Vice President, Product Development & Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, Exelixis. "Following recent promising data evaluating cabozantinib in combination with immunotherapies in colorectal cancer, we are thrilled to initiate our first phase 3 pivotal trial for XL092, our next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor. We look forward to learning more about how XL092 in combination with atezolizumab may benefit patients with metastatic colorectal cancer."

STELLAR-303 is a global, multicenter, randomized phase 3 open-label study that will enroll approximately 600 patients with documented RAS status. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive either XL092 in combination with atezolizumab or regorafenib. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the combination in patients with RAS wild-type disease; exploratory endpoints include examining efficacy in those with RAS-mutated disease. The primary endpoint is overall survival. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, objective response rate and duration of response per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 as assessed by the investigator.

Previously announced results from two studies of cabozantinib in combination with immunotherapies for the treatment of advanced CRC supported Exelixis decision to pursue clinical development of XL092 in this setting. The trial is sponsored by Exelixis, and Roche is supplying atezolizumab.

About XL092

XL092 is a next-generation oral TKI that inhibits the activity of receptor tyrosine kinases implicated in cancer growth and spread, including VEGF receptors, MET, AXL and MER. These receptor tyrosine kinases are involved in both normal cellular function and in pathologic processes such as oncogenesis, metastasis, tumor angiogenesis and resistance to multiple therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors. In designing XL092, Exelixis sought to build upon its extensive experience with and the target profile of cabozantinib, the companys flagship medicine, while improving key characteristics, including pharmacokinetic half-life. XL092 is currently being developed for the treatment of advanced solid tumors, including genitourinary cancers, as a monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. XL092 is the first internally discovered Exelixis compound to enter the clinic following the companys reinitiation of drug-discovery activities.

About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. According to the American Cancer Society, about 150,000 new cases will be diagnosed and 53,000 people will die from the disease in 2022.1 Colorectal cancer is most frequently diagnosed among people aged 65-74 and is more common in men and those of African American descent. Nearly a quarter of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed at the metastatic stage, at which point the five-year survival rate is just 15%.2 It has been estimated that approximately 40% of metastatic colorectal cancer cases exhibit a RAS mutation.3

About CABOMETYX (cabozantinib)

In the U.S., CABOMETYX tablets are approved for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC); for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib; for patients with advanced RCC as a first-line treatment in combination with nivolumab; and for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with locally advanced or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) that has progressed following prior VEGFR-targeted therapy and who are radioactive iodine-refractory or ineligible. CABOMETYX tablets have also received regulatory approvals in the European Union and additional countries and regions worldwide. In 2016, Exelixis granted Ipsen exclusive rights for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib outside of the U.S. and Japan. In 2017, Exelixis granted exclusive rights to Takeda for the commercialization and further clinical development of cabozantinib for all future indications in Japan. Exelixis holds the exclusive rights to develop and commercialize cabozantinib in the U.S.

CABOMETYX is not indicated as a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer CRC that is not microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair-deficient.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hemorrhage: Severe and fatal hemorrhages occurred with CABOMETYX. The incidence of Grade 3 to 5 hemorrhagic events was 5% in CABOMETYX patients in RCC, HCC, and DTC studies. Discontinue CABOMETYX for Grade 3 or 4 hemorrhage and prior to surgery as recommended. Do not administer CABOMETYX to patients who have a recent history of hemorrhage, including hemoptysis, hematemesis, or melena.

Perforations and Fistulas: Fistulas, including fatal cases, occurred in 1% of CABOMETYX patients. Gastrointestinal (GI) perforations, including fatal cases, occurred in 1% of CABOMETYX patients. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of fistulas and perforations, including abscess and sepsis. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who experience a Grade 4 fistula or a GI perforation.

Thrombotic Events: CABOMETYX increased the risk of thrombotic events. Venous thromboembolism occurred in 7% (including 4% pulmonary embolism) and arterial thromboembolism in 2% of CABOMETYX patients. Fatal thrombotic events occurred in CABOMETYX patients. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop an acute myocardial infarction or serious arterial or venous thromboembolic events that require medical intervention.

Hypertension and Hypertensive Crisis: CABOMETYX can cause hypertension, including hypertensive crisis. Hypertension was reported in 37% (16% Grade 3 and <1% Grade 4) of CABOMETYX patients. Do not initiate CABOMETYX in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Monitor blood pressure regularly during CABOMETYX treatment. Withhold CABOMETYX for hypertension that is not adequately controlled with medical management; when controlled, resume at a reduced dose. Permanently discontinue CABOMETYX for severe hypertension that cannot be controlled with anti-hypertensive therapy or for hypertensive crisis.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea occurred in 62% of CABOMETYX patients. Grade 3 diarrhea occurred in 10% of CABOMETYX patients. Monitor and manage patients using antidiarrheals as indicated. Withhold CABOMETYX until improvement to Grade 1, resume at a reduced dose.

Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE): PPE occurred in 45% of CABOMETYX patients. Grade 3 PPE occurred in 13% of CABOMETYX patients. Withhold CABOMETYX until improvement to Grade 1 and resume at a reduced dose for intolerable Grade 2 PPE or Grade 3 PPE.

Hepatotoxicity: CABOMETYX in combination with nivolumab can cause hepatic toxicity with higher frequencies of Grades 3 and 4 ALT and AST elevations compared to CABOMETYX alone. Monitor liver enzymes before initiation of and periodically throughout treatment. Consider more frequent monitoring of liver enzymes than when the drugs are administered as single agents. For elevated liver enzymes, interrupt CABOMETYX and nivolumab and consider administering corticosteroids.

With the combination of CABOMETYX and nivolumab, Grades 3 and 4 increased ALT or AST were seen in 11% of patients. ALT or AST >3 times ULN (Grade 2) was reported in 83 patients, of whom 23 (28%) received systemic corticosteroids; ALT or AST resolved to Grades 0-1 in 74 (89%). Among the 44 patients with Grade 2 increased ALT or AST who were rechallenged with either CABOMETYX (n=9) or nivolumab (n=11) as a single agent or with both (n=24), recurrence of Grade 2 increased ALT or AST was observed in 2 patients receiving CABOMETYX, 2 patients receiving nivolumab, and 7 patients receiving both CABOMETYX and nivolumab. Withhold and resume at a reduced dose based on severity.

Adrenal Insufficiency: CABOMETYX in combination with nivolumab can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Withhold CABOMETYX and/or nivolumab and resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose depending on severity.

Adrenal insufficiency occurred in 4.7% (15/320) of patients with RCC who received CABOMETYX with nivolumab, including Grade 3 (2.2%), and Grade 2 (1.9%) adverse reactions. Adrenal insufficiency led to permanent discontinuation of CABOMETYX and nivolumab in 0.9% and withholding of CABOMETYX and nivolumab in 2.8% of patients with RCC.

Approximately 80% (12/15) of patients with adrenal insufficiency received hormone replacement therapy, including systemic corticosteroids. Adrenal insufficiency resolved in 27% (n=4) of the 15 patients. Of the 9 patients in whom CABOMETYX with nivolumab was withheld for adrenal insufficiency, 6 reinstated treatment after symptom improvement; of these, all (n=6) received hormone replacement therapy and 2 had recurrence of adrenal insufficiency.

Proteinuria: Proteinuria was observed in 8% of CABOMETYX patients. Monitor urine protein regularly during CABOMETYX treatment. For Grade 2 or 3 proteinuria, withhold CABOMETYX until improvement to Grade 1 proteinuria, resume CABOMETYX at a reduced dose. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop nephrotic syndrome.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ): ONJ occurred in <1% of CABOMETYX patients. ONJ can manifest as jaw pain, osteomyelitis, osteitis, bone erosion, tooth or periodontal infection, toothache, gingival ulceration or erosion, persistent jaw pain, or slow healing of the mouth or jaw after dental surgery. Perform an oral examination prior to CABOMETYX initiation and periodically during treatment. Advise patients regarding good oral hygiene practices. Withhold CABOMETYX for at least 3 weeks prior to scheduled dental surgery or invasive dental procedures, if possible. Withhold CABOMETYX for development of ONJ until complete resolution, resume at a reduced dose.

Impaired Wound Healing: Wound complications occurred with CABOMETYX. Withhold CABOMETYX for at least 3 weeks prior to elective surgery. Do not administer CABOMETYX for at least 2 weeks after major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of CABOMETYX after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS): RPLS, a syndrome of subcortical vasogenic edema diagnosed by characteristic findings on MRI, can occur with CABOMETYX. Evaluate for RPLS in patients presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion, or altered mental function. Discontinue CABOMETYX in patients who develop RPLS.

Thyroid Dysfunction: Thyroid dysfunction, primarily hypothyroidism, has been observed with CABOMETYX. Based on the safety population, thyroid dysfunction occurred in 19% of patients treated with CABOMETYX, including Grade 3 in 0.4% of patients.

Patients should be assessed for signs of thyroid dysfunction prior to the initiation of CABOMETYX and monitored for signs and symptoms of thyroid dysfunction during CABOMETYX treatment. Thyroid function testing and management of dysfunction should be performed as clinically indicated.

Hypocalcemia: CABOMETYX can cause hypocalcemia. Based on the safety population, hypocalcemia occurred in 13% of patients treated with CABOMETYX, including Grade 3 in 2% and Grade 4 in 1% of patients. Laboratory abnormality data were not collected in CABOSUN.

In COSMIC-311, hypocalcemia occurred in 36% of patients treated with CABOMETYX, including Grade 3 in 6% and Grade 4 in 3% of patients.

Monitor blood calcium levels and replace calcium as necessary during treatment. Withhold and resume at reduced dose upon recovery or permanently discontinue CABOMETYX depending on severity.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: CABOMETYX can cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Verify the pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating CABOMETYX and advise them to use effective contraception during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common (20%) adverse reactions are:

CABOMETYX as a single agent: diarrhea, fatigue, PPE, decreased appetite, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, weight decreased, constipation.

CABOMETYX in combination with nivolumab: diarrhea, fatigue, hepatotoxicity, PPE, stomatitis, rash, hypertension, hypothyroidism, musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, nausea, dysgeusia, abdominal pain, cough, and upper respiratory tract infection.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: If coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

Strong CYP3A4 Inducers: If coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inducers cannot be avoided, increase the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid St. Johns wort.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Lactation: Advise women not to breastfeed during CABOMETYX treatment and for 4 months after the final dose.

Hepatic Impairment: In patients with moderate hepatic impairment, reduce the CABOMETYX dosage. Avoid CABOMETYX in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information https://www.cabometyx.com/downloads/CABOMETYXUSPI.pdf.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

About Exelixis

Founded in 1994, Exelixis, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXEL) is a commercially successful, oncology-focused biotechnology company that strives to accelerate the discovery, development and commercialization of new medicines for difficult-to-treat cancers. Following early work in model system genetics, we established a broad drug discovery and development platform that has served as the foundation for our continued efforts to bring new cancer therapies to patients in need. Our discovery efforts have resulted in four commercially available products, CABOMETYX (cabozantinib), COMETRIQ (cabozantinib), COTELLIC (cobimetinib) and MINNEBRO (esaxerenone), and we have entered into partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies to bring these important medicines to patients worldwide. Supported by revenues from our marketed products and collaborations, we are committed to prudently reinvesting in our business to maximize the potential of our pipeline. We are supplementing our existing therapeutic assets with targeted business development activities and internal drug discovery all to deliver the next generation of Exelixis medicines and help patients recover stronger and live longer. Exelixis is a member of the Standard & Poors (S&P) MidCap 400 index, which measures the performance of profitable mid-sized companies. For more information about Exelixis, please visit http://www.exelixis.com, follow @ExelixisInc on Twitter or like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to: the clinical and therapeutic potential of XL092 in combination with atezolizumab as a treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer; and Exelixis plans to reinvest in its business to maximize the potential of the companys pipeline, including through targeted business development activities and internal drug discovery. Any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements and are based upon Exelixis current plans, assumptions, beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: the potential failure of the combination of XL092 and atezolizumab to demonstrate safety and/or efficacy in STELLAR-303; uncertainties inherent in the product development process; complexities and the unpredictability of the regulatory review and approval processes in the U.S. and elsewhere; Exelixis and Roches continuing compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements; the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and other global events and their impact on Exelixis research and development operations, including Exelixis ability to initiate new clinical trials and clinical trial sites, enroll clinical trial patients, conduct trials per protocol, and conduct drug research and discovery operations and related activities; the costs of conducting clinical trials; Exelixis dependence on third-party vendors for the development, manufacture and supply of XL092; Exelixis ability to protect its intellectual property rights; market competition; changes in economic and business conditions; and other factors affecting Exelixis and its development programs discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Exelixis Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 10, 2022, and in Exelixis future filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Exelixis as of the date of this press release, and Exelixis undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by law.

Exelixis, the Exelixis logo, CABOMETYX and COMETRIQ are registered U.S. trademarks of Exelixis.COTELLIC is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.MINNEBRO is a registered trademark of Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited.

_______________________1 Cancer Facts and Figures 2022. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2022/2022-cancer-facts-and-figures.pdf. Accessed June 2022.2 Cancer Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer. SEER website. Available at: https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html. Accessed June 2022.3 RAS in Colorectal Cancer: ESMO Biomarker Factsheet. OncologyPRO website. Available at https://oncologypro.esmo.org/education-library/factsheets-on-biomarkers/ras-in-colorectal-cancer. Accessed June 2022.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220620005441/en/

Contacts

Investors: Susan Hubbard EVP, Public Affairs andInvestor Relations Exelixis, Inc. (650) 837-8194 shubbard@exelixis.com

Media: Lindsay Treadway Executive Director, Public Affairsand Advocacy Relations Exelixis, Inc. (650) 837-7522 ltreadway@exelixis.com

Original post:
Exelixis Announces Initiation of the STELLAR-303 Phase 3 Pivotal Trial Evaluating XL092 in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer - Yahoo Finance

The market received the proverbial haymaker from the Federal Reserve last week, when the central bank raised interest rates by 75 basis points, the largest increase since November of 1994. To add insult to injury, unless the Fed governors and Chair Jay Powell see at least some decline in the staggering inflation, you can count on another 75-basis-point increase in July.

With the market getting absolutely torched last week, the venerable Dow Jones industrials dipped below the 30,000 level, and both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq are in bear market territory. Many investors are worried, and with good reason. After years of loose money policy, the party is over, and it is time to move assets to safe, dividend-paying companies to ride out the storm. With the potential for a recession increasing, the time to reallocate is now.Often when income investors look for companies paying big dividends, they are drawn to the Dividend Aristocrats, and with good reason. The 66 companies that made the cut for the 2022 S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats list have increased dividends (not just remained the same) for 25 years straight. But the requirements go even further. The following attributes are also mandatory for membership on the vaunted list:

With the potential for massive downside still looming, and interest rates definitely still going higher, we thought it would be a good idea to look for companies on the Dividend Aristocrats list that are in defensive sectors and look poised to do well the rest of 2022.

Seven stocks hit our screens, all of which are Buy rated at top Wall Street firms. It is important to remember that no single analyst report should be used as a sole basis for any buying or selling decision.

This is a top pharmaceutical and med-tech stock with very solid growth potential. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) manufactures and sells health care products worldwide.

Its Established Pharmaceutical Products segment offers branded generic pharmaceuticals to treat pancreatic exocrine insufficiency; irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm; intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms; gynecological disorders; hormone replacement therapy; dyslipidemia; hypertension; hypothyroidism; Mnires disease and vestibular vertigo; pain, fever and inflammation; migraines; anti-infective clarithromycin; cardiovascular and metabolic products; and influenza vaccines, as well as to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

The LabsDiagnostic Products segment provides immunoassay and clinical chemistry systems; assays used to screen and/or diagnose cancer, cardiac, drugs of abuse, fertility, infectious diseases and therapeutic drug monitoring; hematology systems and reagents; diagnostic systems and cartridges; instruments to automate the extraction, purification and preparation of DNA and RNA from patient samples, and detects and measures infectious agents; genomic-based tests; informatics and automation solutions; and a suite of informatics tools and professional services.

Abbott Laboratories stock investors receive a 1.83% dividend. Morgan Stanleys price target is $145, and the consensus target is $139.29. The shares closed most recently at $102.53.

See the rest here:
7 Strong Buy Dividend Aristocrats Are Safe-Haven Stocks to Own During a Recession - 24/7 Wall St.

If you've experienced gender dysphoria the distressing feeling that occurs when your gender identity differs from the one you were assigned at birth you might have considered hormone-replacement therapy. Originally, HRT referred to the process of prescribing sex hormones like estrogen to people going through menopause as a way of treating symptoms such as hot flashes (a practice that has since been the subject of some controversy). But today, the term "HRT" is commonly used to describe "gender affirming hormone therapy" for "individuals who are seeking to alter their secondary sex characteristics for a more 'masculine' or more 'feminine' gender presentation," as defined by Folx, an online health and wellness provider for the LGBTQ+ community. At Folx and other gender-affirming-therapy providers, HRT involves using hormones like estrogen or testosterone to give the body a more traditionally feminine or masculine appearance to match one's gender identity.

While many trans and nonbinary people describe the medicine as life-saving, the process isn't for everyone, nor is it a requirement for trans and nonbinary people. "HRT does not make a trans person trans," stresses TikToker and professional actor Dylan Mulvaney, a trans woman who has been chronicling her self-described girlhood on the app. "If there is a trans person out there, and for whatever reason, they don't think HRT is right for them right now, or ever, we need to see them as such and respect their pronouns as such," Mulvaney adds.

The decision to start HRT is individual and can be complex. Sade Bolger, a Vermont-based activist and public-affairs organizer for Planned Parenthood, started HRT specifically testosterone therapy (or T) in May of 2017. But when he began, the decision was one of uncertainty. "When I did start T, I didn't really actually fully feel like I did know that for certain this is going to be the right thing," Bolger says. "I stepped into T in an explorative way, having seen other people who had gone through that process, and utilized it as a tool for self-discovery and self-exploration."

California-based Mulvaney echoes a similar sentiment: "The initial reason for going on HRT was just to sort of explore what that side to me was." Before beginning HRT, the actor had considered themself nonbinary for about 18 months. "But I always knew that I wanted to be more feminine," she says. "And even while I was nonbinary I knew that I loved the features on a woman, that I would love to have." Even so, she tells POPSUGAR, "I was so nervous to start [HRT] because it really is a huge decision to be potentially altering your body."

Josie Moon, another trans TikToker, also described her decision to start HRT as a tough one. Moon says she didn't know what the word "trans" meant until she was late into high school. The Nashville-based content creator got married at 24 years old, came out to her now-ex-wife as trans about two years into their marriage, and decided to get divorced just before the 2020 COVID lockdown. Through her own research, she discovered that some trans people don't take hormones. When making the choice for herself, she considered how it would affect her. "I was very concerned that even if I went on hormones at 29, it wasn't going to be enough for me to feel comfortable in my body," Moon tells POPSUGAR.

So she gathered more information, reading relevant threads on Reddit and Twitter and speaking to others in the trans community to make sure HRT was the right decision for her. "There's a subreddit called Trans timelines which shows pictures of mostly trans women but also trans men, really trans people in general before and after hormones," Moon says. "And I was like, wow, these people are the same age as me . . . and they look amazing. The results are amazing. So maybe this could work for me too." It had gotten to the point, Moon says, where she was constantly looking at these pictures and "imagining just feeling comfortable in my body and what that would look like." Now, two years on HRT, Moon is happy with her decision to start the therapy. So are Mulvaney and Bolger. "I look at myself in the mirror now and every day I get a little bit closer to finding myself to be a beautiful woman," Mulvaney says. "I think it was through the process of experiencing the changes that came alongside taking T that really kind of confirmed for me that this was what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be on the planet," says Bolger.

If you're still trying to figure out whether HRT is right for you, this explainer will help answer some of your questions, including what to ask your doctor, when to expect changes, and what side effects to be aware of.

Masculinizing or feminizing hormone therapy, also commonly referred to as hormone-replacement therapy or HRT, is a process used to "induce the physical changes in your body" caused by male or female hormones "to promote the matching of your gender identity and body (gender congruence)," per the Mayo Clinic.

Someone transitioning from male to female (MTF) would typically use feminizing hormone therapy and "be given medication to block the action of the hormone testosterone. You'll also be given the hormone estrogen to decrease testosterone production and induce feminine secondary sex characteristics," the Mayo Clinic states. In a female to male (FTM) transition with hormone therapy, "you'll be given the male hormone testosterone, which suppresses your menstrual cycles and decreases the production of estrogen from your ovaries."

The method in which those hormones are administered can vary, says Dave Usman, nurse practitioner at Radiant Health Centers, a California-based LGBTQIA+ Health and HIV care center. "It depends on the comfortability of the individual that's seeking hormone therapy," he says. For those receiving masculinizing HRT through testosterone, there are two options, Usman says. The most common route is injection. "It can be self-administered or office-administered," he says. There's also a topical gel option. For estrogen therapy, there's a pill, injectable, or patch.

Not every hospital or clinic provides gender-affirming healthcare. There are some instances in which medical providers can get exceptions, specifically hospitals and clinics with religious affiliations. It's important to do your research beforehand to ensure that you can get the care you need.

Bolger was referred to an endocrinologist after expressing to his therapist that he was considering HRT. Mulvaney recommends going to a queer health center in your area. "The great part is that they focus primarily on queer trans clients, so they are very in the know as far as treatment plans," she explains. Another good option? An informed-consent clinic, which means that a referral or therapy note is not required to receive care. (Planned Parenthood is an informed-consent clinic.) You can also receive hormone therapy online through services like Folx and Plume.

As far as cost goes, many insurance plans cover hormone therapy. For those who are uninsured or have trouble accessing hormone therapy, health centers like Radiant Health rely on contracted pharmacies that provide the medication at a low out-of-pocket cost for patients. Brands like Folx also offer an HRT care fund which distributes financial resources to an annual grant covering 12 months of hormone-replacement therapy, including prescription medication, unlimited clinical visits and messaging, and labs. Eighty percent of the Folx HRT grants are reserved for BIPOC. Eligibility starts at 18 years old, and you must live in a state where Folx is currently available.

"The first visit is mainly educating the patient, asking questions, and telling them what is expected," Usman says. "And then, once they have all the questions answered, they feel like they're ready, they're mentally and physically ready, that's when we start initiating therapy." That initiation point can be that day or weeks later. It's really about the patient's comfortability level.

Mulvaney first went to get information and ask questions about the process and then was prescribed spironolactone and estradiol. Spironolactone is a testosterone blocker and estradiol is a form of estrogen. "I went for the information, I got it, I got my mind put at ease. And then I started [the hormones] a few weeks later," Mulvaney says. She adds that she started out with a low dosage "because I was still new to it. I was nervous. I just didn't want to throw myself into it too fully quite yet."

One major conversation you should have with your provider, Mulvaney stresses, is about reproductive options, which will change during hormone therapy. Testosterone and estrogen therapy can lower your sperm count or egg production and may permanently change or stop your body's production of eggs and/or sperm altogether. So if someone is planning to undergo hormone therapy and they may want to conceive a child in the future, Usman says it's encouraged to do egg or sperm retrieval or freezing. "I actually didn't start the spironolactone until recently because I wanted to freeze my sperm first," Mulvaney says. "Being in my 20s, I just wanted to keep all my options open for the future and family planning because I don't know what that's going to look like when I'm older." But Bolger adds that not knowing what you want your reproductive options to be is OK, too. They started T when they were 19 years old. "I didn't know what I wanted to do reproduction wise I still don't. I'm 23 now, and I'm still figuring it out." But it's important that you know all of your options and make the decision that's best for you.

Everyone's timeline of changes is different, but Usman says you can start to see small physical changes as early as a month in.

"My first sort of notice was stretch marks on my booty," says Mulvaney. It was an unexpected surprise to her less than three months on HRT, in addition to a smoothing of her face and the loss of muscle mass in the chest. "I never had hard nipples before," Mulvaney says. "And now they are starting to bud."

For Bolger, the most notable initial changes were voice deepening, peach-fuzz hairs on the lip, and clitoral enlargement, which is commonly referred to as bottom growth. In terms of mood, Bolger says, "My libido pretty greatly increased and stayed kind of intense for the first couple of months into that first year." They also dealt with recurring mood swings. But this was predominantly "just during the period of time where my hormone balance was off because I was transitioning between estrogen and testosterone. And once I kind of plateaued with the T in my body, and that became the main hormone in my body, then all that stuff kind of settled out."

What's important to note is that the mental and emotional changes are just as important to address as the physical ones, and they may hit you sooner. "The first two weeks, I'm not gonna lie, were tough. I didn't feel like myself in some ways. My mind was foggy, I felt very emotional, I had some anxiety," says Mulvaney. These changes ultimately went away, or Mulvaney became accustomed to them. "I think my body learned to accept that this was the new normal and I started to feel like myself again," she says.

Therapy also helped, she adds. "I'm in therapy once a week and I have been with the same therapist for two years, it's changed my whole life and outlook on things." With HRT, you're seeing a doctor every three months or so for check-ins. "But you also need to have a support system in place that can help you with the day-to-day, because it can get pretty overwhelming," says Mulvaney.

Moon agrees that at times, the emotional aspects of HRT can become overwhelming. "When I was younger, I used to say I had three emotions angry, happy, neutral and that was just how it was," says Moon. But in starting HRT, she unlocked a new range of emotions with various depths and layers. "Angry is actually, 'I'm a little bit hungry, but I feel hurt and misunderstood and just sad in general.' And then when I was happy, I'm not just happy or euphoric, it's like, 'I'm excited about this and there's a little bit of joy about this.'" The whole process is "also a little bit bittersweet, because in transitioning, I get to be myself, but I also lost so, so much and had to rebuild," Moon says. "I think emotionally, it took me off guard."

One change that Bolger says he was the most unprepared for is the way others perceive him. "I absolutely took on male privilege," he says. "I noticed that I was being treated differently. The men in the room would shake my hand before they left. I was listened to more. There was more of a platform in a space, people kind of waited for me to have something to say." Emotionally, Bolger says it was "so weird." Because they don't identify as a man, "it was like switching from feeling misgendered on one side to feeling misgendered on the other side." He also says the transition between living the first 18 years experiencing sexism against women only then to be welcomed and respected by sexist men was "not ever in my intentions." There's this layer of complexity for nonbinary individuals, Bolger says, because T or no T, "we live in a society where people assume that you're either a man or a woman."

Another unexpected change? Anecdotally, many people on T have said that it changes their sexual attraction, especially as it pertains to men. Bolger says that being on T hasn't necessarily changed his attraction level to men but rather his comfortability level being with a man. "I felt really uncomfortable being with men, for example, when I was younger, because I knew that that would make people see me as a girl," Bolger says. Being on T changed the way people perceived them and how Bolger perceived himself. Ultimately, "T didn't make me stop loving women. T didn't make me start loving men. T didn't change anything about who I loved or who I f*cked. It changed my comfort, being in those relationships and having those experiences because of how I was feeling and perceiving myself."

Yes. "That's why we screen people initially for their past medical history and family history, because both [hormones] have side effects and adverse effects that can affect their overall health," says Usman. Hormone therapy can aggravate pre-existing depression and anxiety. Other complications include developing diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and blood clots. If you're a chronic smoker in particular and you're on estrogen, "there's higher risk of developing blood clots," Usman says. So be sure to be honest about all of your lifestyle habits within that first meeting so that your provider can assess your needs and design a hormone-therapy plan that works best for you.

Bolger, for example, is neurodivergent. "I have ADHD. I sometimes struggle with routine, like hygiene care, because of that," Bolger says, and talking to his provider about that openly was "really important" in figuring out which form of T was right for them. For example, the topical gel has to be applied once a day. "It has to be a part of your routine and for me with my ADHD, that wasn't something that I really thought was going to be plausible," Bolger says. So he went with the weekly injections instead. Even so, Bolger experienced health complications, including ovarian cysts, which were caused by going off schedule on T, a diversion caused by his ADHD. That's why Bolger emphasizes the importance of seeking out a provider who can assess and treat your whole self someone who will be looking our for your mental, physical, and emotional health not just you as a trans person, but you as a whole human, too.

Image Source: Getty Images

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Hormone-Replacement Therapy Is Life-Changing: What to Consider Before Getting Started - POPSUGAR