Heating Up

Are you too hot?

Hot flashes, a common term for a sudden wave of heat usually partnered with sweating, can be extremely uncomfortable for women, who can experience them during peri-menopause and up to five or more years after menopause. However, a new study has shown that losing weight can reduce the number and severity of hot flashes.

The study, conducted at University of California, San Francisco, took 150 overweight menopausal women who experienced hot flashes. One hundred of the women were enrolled in a demanding weight loss program. The program was designed to help the women lose 9 percent of their body fat.

At the end of 6 weeks, those who participated in the program were twice as likely as the women in the control group to experience improvement in hot flashes.

Dee-Dee Shiller, D.O., gynecologist and the director at the Women's Wellness Center at Northwest Hospital says that although the study represents good news, regular exercise in itself will reduce symptomatic hot flashes for many women.

Other ways to alleviate hot flashes are to reduce stress through meditation and relaxation and avoid caffeine, says Dr. Shiller.

Hot flashes are not only irritating; they can be related to increase in depression, anxiety and insomnia, and you should see your doctor if you experience these effects of hot flashes. However, its nice to know that relief might be as simple as regular exercise, stress reduction and weight loss if your BMI is 25 or higher.
-Holly Hosler

Intimacy After Menopause

It's no secret that "The Change" means change for you, your body and your partner. But life doesn't end after menopause - in fact, the best is yet to come!

Dee-Dee Shiller, D.O., board-certified gynecologist and director of the new Women's Wellness Center at Northwest Hospital will talk about how your love life can improve even as you mature.

Her talk, titled "Bringing Back Sexy: Women and Intimacy," will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 21 in the MacDonald Boardroom at Northwest Hospital.

Dr. Shiller comes to Northwest Hospital via Good Samaritan Hospital, where she was the chief of Gynecology. She received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed her residency at Sinai Hospital. As a doctor of osteopathy, Dr. Shiller is able to provide osteopathic manipulation treatment – hands-on care for muscle and bone pain – which is another added benefit of the center.

The Women's Wellness Center offers a variety of services for women at every stage of life, connecting them with physicians and other health care providers. Dr. Shiller's talk is one in a series of free lectures that allow women to have the latest information at their fingertips.

For more information, click here. To register to attend this FREE lecture, call 410-601-WELL (9355).

Hot Topics in Women's Health

There’s still time to sign up for a ladies tea at Northwest Hospital this Sunday, May 23 at 3 p.m.

The highlight of the event will be two vibrant speakers who are women’s health experts: Women’s Wellness Center director and gynecologist Dee-Dee Shiller, D.O., and Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Center medical director and breast surgeon Dawn Leonard, M.D.

These two doctors will be talking about some of the most pressing issues in women’s health today, answering questions such as when you should start getting mammograms and how often; should you have a genetic test to find out your risk for breast and ovarian cancers; and whether your daughter should receive the new vaccine for cervical cancer. Topics relating to menopause will also be discussed, including the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy, as well as alternatives to HRT.

The event will help introduce the Women’s Wellness Center to the community. The center opened earlier this spring at Northwest Hospital, and is now accepting new patients for physicals and gynecologic care. Patients of the center will be able to take advantage of special amenities and services such as guidance from a health coach who helps patients develop a personalized comprehensive wellness plan. The health coach can also assist patients in scheduling appointments for tests or with specialists. Soon, the center will also be offering massage therapy, yoga and Pilates classes, and a free, community lecture series on women’s health topics.

At the event on Sunday, tea and light refreshments will be served, and all attendees will receive a free canvas tote bag - a great fit for use at the beach or gym.

To sign up for “Hot Topics in Women’s Health: A Ladies Tea,” call 410-601-WELL (9355).