Hormonal treatments making a comeback — with a twist
In the early 2000s, hormonal treatments for menopause fell out of favor, but they appear to be rebounding with a notable focus.
People think of hormonal treatments as replacing diminished levels of estrogen, but in premenopausal women, there’s actually more testosterone than estrogen.
Like estrogen, testosterone levels fall over time too and, after menopause, the lower levels contribute to a loss of bone density and energy. Some doctors are prescribing testosterone to treat these symptoms of menopause, though the FDA has not approved a product for this use, in large part because there isn’t a lot of ing research data yet.
Body of knowledge
Hospitalized mental patients rarely complain of headaches.
Get me that. Stat!
More than 90 percent of respondents in the largest-ever survey of trans people (92,000) who had received hormone treatments or gender-affirming surgery said they were more satisfied with their lives after care.
However, one-quarter of respondents said they didn’t see a doctor when they needed to in the past year due to fear of mistreatment; one-quarter didn’t see a doctor in the past year due to costs, and almost half of those who did see a health care provider in the past year reported having at least one negative experience, such as being misgendered, being refused care or having a provider who was verbally or physically rough or abusive.
Mark your calendar
April is awareness month for irritable bowel syndrome, autism, sarcoidosis, oral and testicular cancers, Parkinson’s disease, sexually transmitted infections, organ donations, facial protection, alcohol, sexual assault and prevention, child abuse prevention and stress. April is a very stressful month.
Counts
300 — Estimated number of COVID vaccine-related false narratives and misinformation circulating on social media, emanating from 4,387 news sites and other sources.
Source: NewsGuard
Stories for the waiting room
Perhaps not surprisingly, new and recent research indicates that in states where abortion is severely restricted, there is a decline in aspiring OB-GYN physicians. The number of overall applications to OB-GYN programs remained stable between 2022 and 2023, but states with abortion bans received fewer applications than those without them.
In 2023, about 82 percent of prospective OB-GYNs applied in programs with abortion bans, compared with 86 percent in 2022 and 88 percent in 2021. Almost 100 percent also applied to programs in states that protect abortion rights. Researchers say that if the trend continues, it may forecast potential OB-GYN shortages in some places in the future.
Doc talk
Myasthenia — an abnormal weakness in a muscle or group of muscles.
Mania of the week
Klazomania — compulsive shouting. Otherwise known as KLAZOMANIA!
Observation
“My friends tell me I have an intimacy problem, but they really don’t know me.”
— Comedian Garry Shandling (1949-2016)
Medical history
This week in 1969, Dr. Denton Cooley implanted a total artificial heart into a 2-month-old patient. Three days later, the patient received a heart transplant but died of respiratory insufficiency 14 hours later.
Sum body
We know we should keep our consumption of fast food to a minimum (or not at all) but the industry works hard to keep their offerings in mind, churning out new, catchy slogans almost as fast as those hamburgers, fries, pizzas and burritos.
Can you match these erstwhile slogans with their food makers?
1. Where’s Herb?
2. What You Want is What You Get
3. What a Sandwich
4. Avoid the Noid
5. Buy ‘Em by the Sack
Answers: 1. Burger King (1980s). 2. McDonald’s (1990s). 3. Subway (1990s). 4. Domino’s Pizza (1980-90s). 5. White Castle (1920s).
Medical myths
In the 1990s, shark cartilage pills were all the rage, fueled by best-selling books like “Sharks Don’t Get Cancer: How Shark Cartilage Could Save Your Life.”
In reality, sharks do get cancer. It’s just that humans don’t often go looking for cases.
The first documented tumor in a cartilaginous (no bones) was recorded in a skate in 1853; the first in a shark in 1908. Since then, researchers have found more than 40 instances of cancerous tumors in at least 24 shark species — including in the cartilage and on the face of a great white shark.
Epitaphs
“Don’t try.”
— Gravestone of poet Henry Charles Bukowski, Jr., who also included an image of a boxer. Bukowski’s message, it’s surmised, was to not overthink things or strive to overachieve, but let life happen.
LaFee is vice president of communications for the Sanford Burnham Prebys research institute.
