Five Seasons Women’s Wellness: Health and Wellness Blog

Newly unveiled court documents show that pharmaceutical giant Wyeth paid ghostwrites to publish more than 26 scientific papers backing the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

The articles, published in medical journals between 1998 and 2005, emphasized the benefits and downplayed the risks, including increased risk of invasive breast cancer, endometrial cancer, heart attack, stroke and dementia, of HRT.

Physicians rely on medical literature, so the concern about ghostwriting is that doctors might change their prescribing habits after reading certain articles, unaware they were commissioned by a drug company.

Wyeth faces about 8,400 lawsuits from women who claim that Premarin and Prempro, the company’s HRT drugs, caused them to develop illnesses.

Holistic Alternatives to HRT

Acupuncture and herbal medicine can reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, changes in mood and headaches without the negative side effects associated with HRT.

A 2008 study found acupuncture to be more effective than drugs in treating hot flashes, night sweats and other menopause-like symptoms in patients with breast cancer.  Acupuncture Beats Drug in Alleviating Hot Flashes, Night Sweats and other Symptoms Associated with Breast Cancer Treatment

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The rate of Caesarean section (c-section) has has increased from 4% in 1965 to about 33% today despite the rising concerns about increased complications for mother and baby.

Medscape Today spoke with expert Pamela K. Spry BSN, MS, PhD about the risks for birth by scalpel.

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Acupuncture can offer a great deal of relief to women who suffer from endometriosis.  It can be used in conjunction with Western medical intervention or on its own.

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Electro-acupuncture may reduce the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), according to a new study published in the Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.

Swedish researchers found that electro-acupuncture treatments led to more regular menstrual cycles, reduced testosterone levels, reduced waist circumference and decreased sympathetic nerve activity in women with PCOS.

Researchers also studied the effects of exercise on PCOS.  Although exercise had no effect on the menstrual cycles, it did lead to a reduction in weight/ body mass index and sympathetic nerve activity.

A new study published in Acupuncture and Medicine cited “significant improvements” in indigestion and digestive complaints associated with pregnancy in women treated with acupuncture.

The small study included 36 women aged 15 to 39 who were 15 to 30 weeks into their pregnancy.  The women were split into two groups - with one group receiving acupuncture, and the other receiving conventional treatment including dietary counseling and indigestion remedies.

The acupuncture group underwent treatment one to two times a week for eight weeks.

The researchers found that heartburn intensity fell by at least a half in 75% of the women receiving acupuncture as compared with 44% of the women receiving conventional treatment.  In addition, women in the acupuncture group were able to eat and sleep better after receiving treatment.

Gynecologists at the Comandante Pinares General Hospital gave acupuncture to some 200 women for the treatment of benign fibroid tumors in 2008.

The results were promising, as marked improvement was shown by periodic abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound tests.

According to gynecologist Ana Rodriguez Núñez, acupuncture treatment is 6.2 times less expensive than surgery, and in most cases eliminates the symptoms associated with fibroids such as pain, discomfort and menstrual disorders.

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Check out this video on acupuncture and breast cancer from ABC news: ABC News Clip

Acupuncture Beats Drug in Alleviating Hot Flashes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eugene, Oregon, September 22, 2008- A new medical study finds that acupuncture is just as effective as conventional medications in easing the side effects of breast cancer treatment.

Eleanor M. Walker, M.D., of Henry Ford Health System in Detroit reported the findings earlier this week at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology meeting.

Dr. Walker noted that not only is acupuncture just as effective as venlafaxine (Effexor) in treating the side effects of breast cancer treatment, but the effects last longer than conventional drug therapy with no side effects.

Study participants were separated into to two treatment groups, the venlafaxine group and the acupuncture group.  Patients taking venlafaxine reported a variety of adverse effects including nausea, dry mouth, headache, sleep disturbance, dizziness, vision disturbance, increased blood pressure, fatigue, and anxiety.

Patients in the acupuncture group not only reported no treatment-related side effects, but also said they had improvement in energy, clarity of thought, sexual desire, and overall sense of well-being.

According to local Eugene based acupuncturist, Ariel Solomon, MSTCM, L.Ac., “these results are no surprise.  Acupuncture encourages the body’s natural healing abilities, thus promoting overall health and well-being.  Instead of merely masking symptoms, acupuncture stimulates the body to correct its own imbalances, in turn providing greater benefits and longer lasting relief.”

“Acupuncture is not only helpful in alleviating cancer treatment-induced side effects, but it is highly effective in treating hot flashes and other symptoms related to natural menopause.  Additionally, acupuncture is commonly used to treat PMS, infertility, anxiety/ depression, insomnia, headaches, pain and more.”

Ariel Solomon, MSTCM, L.Ac., practices acupuncture and herbal medicine at Five Seasons Women’s Wellness, Eugene’s only Traditional Chinese Medicine based women’s health practice.  Five Seasons Women’s Wellness is open during the week and on weekends.  Hours vary and are by appointment.  Appointments can be scheduled by calling (541) 515-6446.  They are on the web at www.FiveSeasonsWellness.com

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