Straight Talk: Women's Health

If you could ask a doctor anything about women’s health, what would you ask? Would your questions be about exercise and nutrition or sex, or would you want to know how to reduce stress in your life?

On March 8, Middlesex Hospital launched its Women’s Wellness Fund with a special event called “STRAIGHT TALK: From Sex to Stress and Everything in Between.” The event allowed women of all ages to ask three Middlesex Hospital physicians anything they wanted. It was a lively conversation that provided the more than 150 people in attendance with valuable information – so valuable that the Hospital wants to share some of it with you.

The following questions were asked during the March 8 event. Dr. Anne Bingham, of Crescent Street OB/GYN; Dr. Patrice Janell Holmes, a Middlesex Hospital psychiatrist; and Dr. Rachel Lovins, chair of the Hospital’s Department of Medicine, were event panelists and provided the answers.

Q. What are some tips to decrease stress?
Dr. Holmes says women need to delegate responsibilities. They can try not to take on more than necessary, determining what is realistic to manage based on their other time commitments. Taking care of your own needs, including sleep, sex and nutrition and health, is also important.

It also helps to have a cheerleader – someone to help you when you are stressed, and women should make time to “unplug,” from electronic devices and other distractions and indulge in pleasurable activities, Dr. Holmes says.

Q. Is it better to get vitamins from food or supplements?
“Get what you need from the food that you eat,” Dr. Bingham says, adding that it can be dangerous if you take too many supplements or too much of a supplement. “Your body is so complex, over supplementing can result in unintended consequences. Remember that if something is powerful enough to do good, it can cause harm.”

Q. What is the best alternative treatment for menopause besides hormone therapy?
“There isn’t a treatment for menopause,” Dr. Bingham says. “Think of menopause as a transition, just like puberty. We wouldn’t tell our children to be scared of going through puberty, we prepare them for what to expect so that they can manage it.”

Dr. Bingham says not to fear menopause, but rather embrace it. She adds that some over-the-counter drugs can sometimes help with symptoms. Antidepressants, such as Prozac, can help with hot flashes. Be wary of using hormone replacement therapy for an extended period of time.

Q. How should patients create an open dialogue with their doctors?
“Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions and if you aren’t getting through, use phrases like ‘I feel like you are not listening to me,’” says Dr. Lovins. “If you feel that your doctor consistently isn’t listening to you, get another doctor.”

An invitation to conversations about women’s health is one of the perks of becoming a member of the Women’s Wellness Fund, which is a way to support women’s health awareness, breast cancer early detection through 3D mammography and healthy mothers and babies. To learn more about the Women’s Wellness Fund, visit www.middlesexhospital.org/womenswellnessfund or call 860-358-6200.