Tag: Women’s Health

Does Acupuncture Help with IVF?

February 1, 2012

Recent analysis of past research has revealed that acupuncture may in fact up the chances of successful IVF treatment. The method has been used throughout Chinese history as a means to treat all sorts of health problems.

The first study to imply that the practice may affect pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF took place in Germany ten years ago. Over the past decade, research implications have been relatively inconsistent.

Dr. Frederick Licciardi of the New York University Fertility Center’s mind and body program explained: “I counsel women that the literature is not convincing yet that (acupuncture) helps you get pregnant.”

He continued, saying that the center offers acupuncture sessions as well as other mind/body programs, like yoga, but that they focus mainly on easing stress and boosting ‘wellness,’ and not necessarily IVF success.

He believes that “if acupuncture helps you feel well, if it helps you get through the IVF, then great.”

 

7 Important Health Tests for Women

January 18, 2012

Obesity and weight loss are hot topics, and so many people associate health with exercise and a nutritious diet. While both are immeasurably important for your body, there are a few other health habits that every woman should incorporate into her lifestyle; health screenings.

Dr. Miriam Goldberg lists seven important health screenings, including heart tests, mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies, thyroid tests, bone density tests and checks for melanoma.

“You really have to do it because if you catch it early, then you are saved,” she said.

Dr. Nieca Goldberg of the Tisch Center for Women’s Health stressed the importance of monitoring heart health. She said: “You need to get screened for heart disease and that means getting a blood pressure test at your doctor’s office and laboratory testing for cholesterol and glucose.”

She added: “Skin is the biggest organ of our body and we often take it for granted,” and so it is equally important to protect it and monitor its health as well.

Many mothers claim they have little time for such procedures. Goldberg replies by stating “It’s not an excuse to say I have no time because I have to take care of my kids and my family. The way to take care of your kids and your family is to go to the doctor and take care of yourself.”