Human Health Info

Weight loss may boost men's testosterone

For some men, weight loss plays an important role in raising low testosterone levels, a new study finds.

In the study of overweight, middle-aged men with prediabetes, about half of those with low testosterone levels who attempted to lose weight by changing their lifestyle experienced an increase in their testosterone levels.

The findings suggest "doctors should first encourage overweight men with low testosterone levels to try to lose weight through diet and exercise, before resorting to testosterone therapy to raise their hormone levels," said study researcher Dr. Frances Hayes, a professor at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin.

Hayes and colleagues analyzed information from nearly 900 men with prediabetes — a condition in which blood sugar levels are abnormally high, but not high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes. The men's average age was 54.

The men were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: the diabetes drug metformin, an inactive placebo pill or lifestyle modifications, which consisted of exercising for 150 minutes a week and eating less fat and fewer calories. The researchers said they considered men to have low testosterone if their levels were below 300 nanograms per deciliter of blood.

Among the men assigned to change their lifestyle, about 20 percent had low testosterone levels at the study's start. After one year, that number fell to 11 percent.

Among those taking metformin, 24.8 percent had low testosterone at the beginning of the study, and 23.8 percent still had the condition a year later. For the placebo group, the rate fell from 25.6 percent to 24.6 percent during the study.

Men in the lifestyle modification group lost an average of about 17 pounds over the one-year study, and testosterone levels among men in this group increased 15 percent on average, the researchers said. (Men in the metformin group lost about 6 pounds.)

Losing weight not only reduces the risk of prediabetic men progressing to diabetes but also appears to increase their body's production of testosterone

Weight-Loss Surgery Alternatives New weight-loss surgery procedures are researched all the time

Weight-Loss Surgery Alternatives

New weight-loss surgery procedures are researched all the time, and some are less invasive than others.

Weight-loss surgery is very effective for losing a lot of weight and improving or even reversing health conditions like diabetes, but as its name implies, it is surgery. Wouldn’t it be nice to get its benefits without having to undergo as serious or invasive a procedure?

Two weight-loss techniques being performed in other countries — gastric stimulation and stomach balloon — promise the benefits of weight-loss surgery without the complications of an operation. But before you hop on a plane to have one done, studies show these alternative approaches may not provide the solution you’re hoping for.

Weight-Loss Surgery Alternatives: Do They Work?

These procedures are less invasive than the two most common weight-loss surgeries — gastric bypass surgery and adjustable gastric band surgery — but studies haven’t found that they’re very effective, says Thomas H. Magnuson, MD, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Bariatric Surgery in Baltimore.

What’s more, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved either of the procedures, so you can’t get them in the United States unless they’re being done as part of an investigational study, Dr. Magnuson says.

Here’s an overview of what they are and what risks they may carry.

Weight-Loss Surgery Alternatives: Implantable Gastric Stimulation

This procedure involves putting electrodes or a pacemaker on the stomach wall and using electrical impulses to induce the sensation of feeling full. However, results haven’t shown it to be any more effective than just cutting calories from your diet.

In one recent study of 190 patients, researchers implanted the gastric stimulator in all the patients, but only turned it on in half of them. At the same time, each participant cut 500 calories from his or her diet and met with a support group every month. After 12 months both groups lost about 12 percent of their extra weight.

“In general, most studies have shown that it doesn’t cause near enough weight loss" compared to the high success rate of weight-loss surgery, Magnuson says.

Weight-Loss Surgery Alternatives: The Intragastric Balloon

In this technique, an intragastric, or stomach, balloon, is placed in your stomach with an endoscope, a medical tube inserted through the mouth, and is then filled with salt water or air. The inflated balloon creates a feeling of fullness — it takes less food to satisfy you and consequently you lose weight. The balloon can stay in place for six months, but then must be removed because stomach acid can corrode and deflate it.

“It used to be popular in the 1970s and has lost favor,” Magnuson says. “There are certainly potential side effects or complications.” For one, nausea and vomiting may occur for a few days after the balloon is inserted; ulcers and even a case of pancreatitis have been reported. By far the most serious complication is that the balloon can deflate before being removed and there’s a risk that it can become trapped in the bowel and need to be removed surgically, or lead to fatal consequences if it’s not. However, experts say that the balloons used in today’s procedures are safer and carry less risk of severe complications than those used 20 years ago.

But, even when it’s inserted and removed safely, it doesn’t look to be effective for long-term weight loss, Magnuson says. “So far, we haven’t found anything that results in the same reversal of obesity-related medical problems" that weight-loss surgery such as the gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band offer, Magnuson adds.

Weight-Loss Surgery Alternatives: What’s Next?

Doctors are still looking for less invasive ways to get the results of weight-loss surgery. One possibility to help people lose weight, Magnuson says, is a pill that works on hormones in the stomach that control appetite. A magic pill for weight loss? Now that’s something everyone’s been waiting for.

Menstruation: , A Journey Through Your Cycle

Menstruation is the discharge of blood and tissue from the lining of your uterus that occurs at the beginning of your menstrual cycle. Each woman's menstruation cycle varies, but the process is always the same.

Why do I bleed once a month?

It's hormones! Hormones trigger your ovaries to produce and release one egg from either your right or your left ovary. This is called ovulation. Before ovulation occurs, your uterine lining is thickening to prepare for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. If an egg is not fertilized, then the uterine lining sheds. This is called menstruation or your menstrual period.

Why is my period different from Jane's?

Every woman's cycle (the time from the first day of your menstrual period until the first day of your next menstrual period) is different. On average, a woman has her menstrual period for 3-7 days. The average length of a woman's cycle is 28-32 days. This leaves plenty of room for a woman to vary from her neighbor, friend, or co-worker. Women also vary in the severity of symptoms that occur before and during menstruation.

Before and during menstruation:

Approximately 85% of women who menstruate report changes in the days or weeks before their menstruation that cause problems that affect their normal lives. This is known as Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS).

During menstruation, the uterus, which is a muscle, contracts and relaxes more than it does at other times in the month. This can produce the uncomfortable feeling of cramps. Using a heating pad or hot water bottle may help ease some of the discomfort. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as naproxen, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen may also help. Other discomforts during menstruation may include breast tenderness, bloating, headaches, fatigue, mood swings, and food cravings. Some women will experience these symptoms more than others will, and not every woman will experience all of these symptoms.

What if my period is late or I missed my period?

Sometimes a period may come late or be missed for the month. Frequently, a woman's first thought is that she is pregnant. Yes, that could be the case, but there are times when a woman may be late or miss her period for other unsuspected reasons. These reasons include:

Significant weight gain/loss

Fatigue

Hormonal problems

Tension

Stress

Ceasing to take the birth control pill

Breastfeeding

Increase in exercise

Illness

Infections

STD's

View and print an Ovulation Calendar to better understand your menstrual cycle and ovulation.

Cervical Cancer

Diseases in the cervix can develop into cancer. This happens when cells grow out of control and can no longer perform their normal functions. Only malignant (cancerous) cells spread. They travel through the body in blood and lymphatic fluid (a yellow liquid derived from tissue fluids found throughout the body). They also spread directly through the tissue next to the cervix. If cancerous cells are found before they have spread, treatment is more likely to succeed.

How common is cervical cancer?

In the United States, cervical cancer accounts for nearly 2.4% of all cancers in women. There are about 9,700 new cases of invasive cervical cancer and 3,700 deaths from cervical cancer each year.

Who is at risk for having cervical cancer?

Women between ages 35-50 are at risk for having cervical cancer because it develops after abnormal cells have been present for several years. Those women who have had a sexually transmitted viral infection (such as genital warts), started having sex before age 18, or have had many sexual partners are also at risk for developing cervical cancer.

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Unfortunately there are often no symptoms to warn you of cervical cancer; however, the following symptoms could be potential warning signs:

Abnormal bleeding, spotting, or discharge from the vagina after intercourse, between periods, or after menopause

Watery, bloody discharge from your vagina; it may be heavy and have an unpleasant odor.

With advanced cancer, there may be pain, problems urinating, and swelling in the legs.

What else could these symptoms mean?

These symptoms could also mean you have dysplasia, which is a type of cervical disorder that occurs when there is a change in the cells on the surface of the cervix. Normal, benign cells are replaced by abnormal cells. Cells exhibiting dysplasia are not cancerous, but these cells can become cancer cells if not treated.

How is cervical cancer diagnosed?

Cervical cancer is diagnosed by a Pap smear. Using a small wooden spatula, brush, or cotton swab, your physician gently scrapes the entire surface of your cervix to gather cells and also takes a cell sample from inside your cervical canal by inserting a brush. The cells are sent to a laboratory for microscopic analysis. A negative result means that your cervix is normal.

A positive result does not necessarily indicate cancer or even dysplasia; but more tests, such as a biopsy, are needed. A biopsy is a procedure in which small pieces of cervical tissue are removed for study. A biopsy most often can be done in the doctor's office or clinic. You may experience mild cramping or a pinching feeling. This test will determine if any cancer exists and has spread to the uterus.

How serious is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is serious if it has spread beyond the uterus. Invasive cervical cancer accounts for 3% of cancer related deaths in American women each year.

How is cervical cancer treated?

Treatment of cervical cancer depends on the size of the tumor and the extent (if any) to which it has spread. Some treatment options include:

Dilation and curettage involves gently scraping your uterine lining for tissue samples to find out whether the cancer has spread to your uterus.

A radical hysterectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon removes the uterus (including the cervix),the upper vagina, surrounding tissue, lymph nodes, and the fallopian tubes. The ovaries may be left in place for younger women.

Radiation therapy involves both radiation delivered by a machine and internal radiation from radioactive material implanted in the uterus or in the upper part of the vagina. These implants are left in the uterus for several days while you remain in the hospital. Side effects may include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and fatigue.

When should I have a Pap smear?

When should I have a Pap smear?

It is recommended that all women get a Pap smear done within 3 years of becoming sexually active or by age 21. Pap smears should be done every year for at least 3 years, and if they are all normal, your health care provider may change your Pap smear schedule to every 2-3 years. Discuss with your health provider what they recommend for a Pap smear schedule as some still encourage that they are done yearly.

Even if your health care provider recommends you have a Pap smear every 2-3 years, you still should see your gynecologist every year for pelvic exams, information regarding other women’s health issues, and breast exams.

Women should have a Pap smear in the middle of their monthly cycle, or about 10-20 days after the LMP (last menstrual period) began. At least 2 days before the test, women should avoid having anything in the vagina including sexual intercourse, douching, vaginal creams/suppositories, or spermicide. These could interfere with the results of the test and cause an abnormal result.

What happens during a Pap smear?

As part of your pelvic exam, your physician will use a small spatula, brush, or swab to remove a few cells from your cervix. You may feel some discomfort, but it is not painful. The cells are placed on a microscope slide and sent to a lab for results. You can help your clinician obtain a good Pap smear by not having intercourse, not douching, or not using any products/medications in the vaginal area for at least two days prior to the examination.

What do the results of a Pap smear mean?

A negative result means that your cervix is normal.

A positive result indicates the presence of abnormal cells. Your physician may also call this an abnormal Pap. Remember that this is a test, not a diagnosis. A positive result does not prove that you have cancer or even dysplasia (a pre-cancerous condition). However, it usually means you should have further evaluation, such as a colposcopy (microscope used to look into the cervix) or a biopsy (removing a small amount of tissue from the cervix). Your doctor will discuss the results with you.

One in ten Pap smears indicates some abnormality, though most are not serious. Further testing will be required to determine if you have infection, inflammation, a yeast infection, trichomonas, herpes, or the human papilloma virus.

Researchers believe that cervical cancer is directly related to the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are over 100 different types of HPV. About 30 types are spread through sexual transmission and can possibly lead to cervical cancer. HPV is the main risk factor for cervical cancer, but most women who receive treatment for abnormal cells caused by HPV, do not develop cervical cancer.

In 2003, the FDA approved a screening test that can be done in conjunction with a Pap smear to determine if you have the HPV virus.The HPV DNA test can detect high risk types of HPV before any abnormal cells can be detected on the cervix. This screening is recommended for women over the age of 30, who are at an increased risk of an HPV infection turning into pre-cancerous cells.

Some Pap smears indicate an unsatisfactory sample because of recent sexual activity or use of vaginal creams and douches. Regardless of the reason, an abnormal Pap will require another Pap smear in a few months. With proper screening, cervical cancer is preventable and avoidable.

What if I am pregnant, and I have an abnormal Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a routine part of your pre-natal care and poses no risk to the fetus. If you have an abnormal Pap during pregnancy your physician will discuss treatments which can be done safely during pregnancy, or depending on diagnosis, delay treatment until after your baby is born. If your physician suggests a colposcopy or cervical biopsy, there can be slight bleeding from the external part of the cervix, but this is not a serious complication.

If your physician is considering doing an internal biopsy into the endocervical canal, there may be a slight risk of a pregnancy complication. But your health care provider has your best interest in mind and will only do what is medically necessary.

Your doctor may perform additional Pap smears during your pregnancy if necessary. Many times the birth of your baby will wash away any abnormal cervical cells.

When can a woman stop having Pap smears performed?

According to the National Cancer Institute, women who are over the age of 70 and have a history of normal Pap smears are very unlikely to develop cervical cancer and therefore can discuss the option of not needing any further pap smears. Women who have had a hysterectomy with both the uterus and cervix removed, for reasons not related to cancer, can also discuss the option of not needing any further Pap smears.

Who needs pap smears more often?

Women who are taking immunosuppressant medications or have a condition that weakens the immune system should have more frequent Pap smears. These women need to discuss what type of testing schedule they should be on with their health care providers.

What is Infertility?

Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system that prevents the conception of children. It affects approximately 6.1 million individuals throughout the United States. The diagnosis of infertility is usually given to couples who have been attempting to conceive for at least 1 year without success.

Conception and pregnancy are complicated processes that depend upon a number of factors, including: 1) the production of healthy sperm by the man, 2) healthy eggs produced by the woman; 3) unblocked fallopian tubes that allow the sperm to reach the egg; 4) the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg when they meet; 5) the ability of the fertilized egg (embryo) to become implanted in the woman's uterus; and, 6) sufficient embryo quality.

Finally, for the pregnancy to progress to full term the embryo must be healthy and the woman's hormonal environment adequate for its development

Marriage and Love Life

If you're married or thinking about getting married, at some point or another you've wondered what better sex in marriage would be like or how sex in marriage could be improved.

Keeping the sexual spark alive in a marriage or in a long-term relationship is easier said than done. However, couples who take time to cultivate and maintain healthy and satisfying sexual relations tend to be more connected with each other and do not suffer from depression, heart problems and other health maladies, experts say.

The daily routines of life — whether careers, children or financial responsibilities — challenge couples to keep alive that flame that initially brought them together. From a practical standpoint, there's less time for sex and intimacy as relationships develop and individual partners take on more responsibilities.

Furthermore, aging brings on a host of physical conditions that can affect life in the bedroom. These include sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular conditions, arthritis and rheumatism, and a host of other problems.

Whatever the reasons for brewing trouble in the bedroom — whether emotional or physical in nature — the good news is that many such problems are easily treated. Moreover, troubles in a couple's sexual relationship are often signs of other problems, and can serve as a warning sign for still bigger troubles ahead.

"A good sex life is an important part of an individual's overall health," says Mark Schoen, Ph.D., director of sex education for the Sinclair Intimacy Institute. "People who have a good sex life feel better [mentally and physically].

"Sex can be a wonderful cementer or a terrible wedge" for relationships, says Dr. Linda Banner, Ph.D., a licensed sex therapist specializing in marriage and relationship counseling and a researcher associated with Stanford University Medical School.

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