February 2006, Volume 6, Issue 1
Special Points of Interest (click topic)
Research News-Currently Enrolling Studies
Use of Botanicals for Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms
A Patch for Insulin Delivery May Be An Option for Diabetics
Women's Health Practice Free Lecture Series!
Women Neglecting Hearts
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: What’s Normal–What’s Not
Benefits of Sexual Activity
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__________________________
Suzanne Trupin, MD, FACOG
2125 South Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
PHONE (217)356-3736
FAX (217) 356-5849
www.womenshealthpractice.com
Currently Enrolling Studies
STUDY - Are You Still At Risk For Heart Attack or Stroke?
Recent research suggests that a simple blood test may show inflammation of the arteries, which may be an early indicator of cardiovascular disease–even in people with low to normal cholesterol. A local doctor is conducting a research trial to evaluate if an experimental drug will lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.
Qualifications for the study include:
Qualified participants will receive study related medical evaluations and may receive study medicine.
Call today for details. Women’s Health Practice, 217-356-3736.
STUDY - Women Over 18 Years Old
If you are:
You may be eligible to participate in a research study of an investigational drug for women with low sexual desire.
This research study has a total of 14 clinic visits and two telephone calls over a one year period. You will be asked to take a daily pill that may contain a medicine being studied to increase your sexual desire. You will also be asked to complete daily questions about your sexual feelings and activities on a confidential, password-protected, electronic diary. There will be some lab tests and blood work when you enroll in the study to make certain that you qualify, and again throughout and as you complete the study.
For each visit that you complete, you will receive $50.00 compensation for your time and travel expenses.
There is a research study underway that may be available for you.
Call 217-356-3736 for information.
STUDY - Vaginal Irritation, Itching or Dryness? Pain With Sexual Activity?
The search is on for additional ways to treat these symptoms of menopause.
Learn more about a research trial.
To qualify, you must be 40-65 years of age, have not had a hysterectomy, have not had a period for at least 6 months, and have at least one moderate to severe vaginal symptom such as dryness, irritation, or itching, or pain with sexual activity.
Qualified participants will receive study-related medication, examinations and laboratory tests at no charge, and compensation for travel.
Call us now at 1-877-978-8393 for more information about this study. Women’s Health Practice.
STUDY - Menopause Research Study
Wish you could find a way to control your menopausal symptoms? According to the North American Menopause Society, about 4,000 women in the United States and Canada reach menopause each day. 80-85% of menopausal women experience symptoms such as:
30% of menopausal women will have severe symptoms. These symptoms can make daily life uncomfortable and unmanageable.
A research study is being conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication in menopausal women with persistent symptoms.
Women interested in volunteering for the study must be between the ages of 30 and 65; be menopausal, with or without hysterectomy, with at least one intact ovary; have persistent menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes; have been taking standard estrogen therapy for at least 8 weeks.
Participation in the study requires at least five office visits over a period of up to 22 weeks, and includes study related medical care, including health assessments, lab tests, and study medications.
Women interested in volunteering or learning more about the study can contact: Women's Health Practice at 217-356-3736, www.womenshealthpractice.com
STUDY - Do You Have Abnormal Periods?
Are you a female with abnormal menstrual bleeding, between the ages of 18-45? Have you not had a period for 90 days or more or have you already been diagnosed with amenorrhea and taking hormones?
You may be a candidate for study testing the effects of the investigational use of an FDA approved medication on secondary amenorrhea. The lack of a regular menses can pose serious health risks for women.
Eligible participants will be compensated for participation in the study and will receive study-related medical care.
STUDY - Endometriosis — Does Pain Persist Despite Surgery?
If you suffer from any of these symptoms and want to learn more, call now.
STUDY - Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Do you experience heavy menstrual bleeding on 2 to 5 days of your regular menstrual period? Does heavy menstrual bleeding keep you from your normal social and work activities?
If you answered yes to these questions, you may qualify for a research study of an investigational drug for heavy menstrual bleeding. This investigational drug is not a hormone.
You must:
If you qualify you will receive study drug and study related procedures including physical exams, electrocardiograms, eye exams and laboratory tests at no cost. You will also receive compensation for your time and travel.
For more information, please call 217- 356-3736.
STUDY - Menopause: Isn’t It Time to Talk to a Doctor?
Do symptoms like hot flashes or night sweats interfere with your busy life? A research study is testing an investigational medication to relieve the intensity and frequency of menopause symptoms. Qualified participants may receive all study-related care and study medication at no cost.
Menopause Clinical Trial. If you’re ready to try hormone therapy, you may want to consider trial participation. Are you:
To qualify, you must be between 45 and 65, have not had a period for at least 6 months (6 weeks if surgically menopausal) and be experiencing hot flashes. Qualified participants may receive all study-related care and study medication at no cost, and may be compensated for time and travel. Call today: 217-356-3736.
STUDY - Let Go Of Your Stomach Problems?
Bloating, Nausea, Fullness, Pain. Are you a woman experiencing any of these symptoms?
You may have a digestive condition called DYSPEPSIA, which may occur during or after eating.
Our physicians are conducting a research study for DYSPEPSIA with the investigational use of an already approved medication and invite you to take part. If you qualify, you will receive all study examinations and study medication. For more information, please call Women’s Health Practice, 217-356-3736.
Use of Botanicals for Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms
Menopausal symptoms can negatively affect a woman’s quality of life. Hormone therapy (HT) has been the standard treatment for menopausal symptoms, although some types of HT are associated with negative health outcomes. For this reason, more women are now taking botanicals for treatment of menopausal symptoms.
What botanicals are used to treat menopausal symptoms? Popular botanicals include soy, black cohosh, and red clover. These substances are believed to act as phytoestrogens, which mimic the action of estrogen. The three major types of phytoestrogens are: isoflavones (found in legumes, soybeans,) lignans (found in oily seeds like flax), and coumestans (found in red clover, sunflower seeds, and bean sprouts).
How do botanicals work? Botanicals called phytoestrogens mimic the action of estrogen. They are nonnsteroidal substances that are converted by gut bacteria into substances that are structurally similar to estrogen. Though they are structurally similar to estrogen and bind to estrogen receptors, they have only 2% of the potency of natural estrogen. They can have both estrogenic or antiestrogenic properties, and they compete with the action of naturally occurring estrogen.
What should I consider before taking botanicals? Variable effects or phytoestrogens are seen. The variable effects of botanicals may be age-related. There is usually a difference in estrogen levels in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Less stringent criteria are used for assessing the efficacy of botanicals. Botanicals, considered dietary supplements, are regulated by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). Under the DSHEA, botanicals do not have to be proven safe or effective before they are sold to the public.
Studies that assess potential benefits or risks of botanicals are limited. For example, some studies are insufficient in length, have too few participants, use botanicals that vary in production and purity, or use weak experimental design.
- Adapted from "The Use of Botanicals for the Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms: Weeds or Wonders!" May/June 2005.
A Patch for Insulin Delivery May Be An Option for Diabetics
A recent study presented at the 2005 conference for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) showed promising results for the transdermal patch for insulin. Ordinarily the skin presents a substantial obstacle for insulin delivery. However, if the skin is pretreated with radio-frequency electrical energy from a hand-held apparatus, insulin can penetrate the skin.
Five healthy volunteers participated in the study, which was presented by Lutz Heinemann from the Profil Institute for Medicine in Neuss, Germany. Subjects wore the insulin patches on their forearms, and their serum levels of insulin measured. After the patch test, subjects were given insulin injections and insulin levels were measured again. The peak serum levels of insulin were 17 µu/ml for the insulin patch and 25 µu/ml for insulin injections, and the peaks occurred 2-3 hours following both delivery methods.
This study demonstrates that transdermal insulin delivery is possible and that it may be an appropriate way to control basal insulin.
- Modified from www.medpagetoday.com
Women's Health Practice Free Lecture Series!
Women’s Health Practice continues its 2006 lecture series. Lectures are scheduled from 6:00-7:00 PM in the WHP waiting room. Advance registration is preferred—call 217-356-3736 to preregister—but not required. Attendees will receive a free copy of Dr. Trupin’s self publication, Menopause-Making Peace with Change. Mark your calendar and plan to join us!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Infertility and Endometriosis
Suzanne Trupin, MD, FACOG
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Insomnia
Suzanne Trupin, MD, FACOG
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Skin Cancer Prevention and Skin Care
Meghan Gagne, PA-C
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Weight Loss Today
Meghan Gagne, PA-C
Osteoporosis Lectures
Suzanne Trupin, MD, FACOG
Tuesday, March 7, 2006 — Calcium, Vitamin D, or Medication?
Tuesday, March 14, 2006 — Tests and Treatments
Tuesday, April 28, 2006 — Treatments and Monitoring
Osteoporosis Classes Choices for Better Health
JoAnn Davis, RN, BSN
Thursday, March 9, 2006 — It’s Never Too Late
Thursday, March 16, 2006 — There’s More You Can Do
Thursday, March 23, 2006 — Taking Charge
According to recent statistics released by the American Heart Association (AHA), U.S. women still do not fully understand their high risk of heart disease.
One in three American women dies of heart disease. 483,000 American women died from heart disease and stroke in 2003. Six million women had coronary heart disease and 3.1 million had strokes.
Heart disease and stroke claimed more lives than the next five leading causes of death combined—cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer’s diabetes, and accidents. Only 55% of 1,008 women surveyed knew that heart disease is the number one killer of U.S. women over the age of 25.
- Adapted from www.cnn.com. February 01, 2006.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: What’s Normal–What’s Not
Women often question what is normal or abnormal uterine bleeding. The following offers a brief description, including medical terminology.
If you have experience abnormal bleeding, it is recommended you be seen for further evaluation. Women’s Health Practice is conducting several studies associated with abnormal bleeding. If you qualify, you will receive study medication and study related procedures including physical examinations and laboratory testing at no cost to you.
- Adapted from Contemporary OB/GYN, November 2005.
The majority of sexuality discussion focuses on risks and dangers. But, sexual expression has upsides, too. Recent studies reviewed by Planned Parenthood® Federation of America and the Society for the Scientific of Sexuality given evidence of the following benefits of satisfying sexual activity:
Sex has many benefits – physical, intellectual, emotional, and social health. If you are experiencing sexual problems, it is important to communicate this to your healthcare provider. A variety of treatments are available.
- Adapted from Health & Sexuality:10(2), July 2005.
According to the Australians, in males the second finger is shorter than the fourth. In women, they are supposed to be equal. And, women with the “male pattern” are more likely to have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and perhaps have developed this with androgen exposure in fetal life. What’s your hand look like?
