Harvard Women's Health Watch articles from August 2007

Harvard Women's Health Watch archives from August 2007

New cervical cancer vaccine highly promising, but questions remain.
August 1, 2007... Many experts recommend vaccinating all preteen girls. Others urge caution. In 2006, the FDA approved Gardasil, the first vaccine designed to prevent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 strains of HPV, and...

In Brief; Hysterectomy doesn't harm -- and may help -- sexual function.
August 1, 2007... Every year, an estimated 600,000 women in the United States have hysterectomies, mostly for noncancerous conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), fibroids, and endometriosis. Hysterectomy removes either the entire uterus or...

Easing the pain of plantar fasciitis.
August 1, 2007... To relieve heel pain, simple therapies may be all you need. Getting out of bed in the morning marks the beginning of a new day, but it can be an excruciating start for people with plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of heel...

In the News; Heart failure risk prompts warning labels on diabetes drugs.
August 1, 2007... The concern now is whether this particular class of drugs causes other cardiovascular problems. In May 2007, the FDA told the makers of two diabetes drugs to add "black box" warnings to their labels because of the risk of heart failure....

By the way, doctor; Can strontium help treat osteoporosis?
August 1, 2007... Q. What can you tell me about the mineral strontium, which is advertised for treating osteoporosis? A. Strontium (Sr) is a chemical element found in water and food. When taken orally, it's absorbed in the body in small amounts, mainly in...

By the way, doctor; How much should I limit my salt intake?
August 1, 2007... Q. If I want to lower my blood pressure, how much salt can I afford to take in? A. The link between high blood pressure (hypertension) and sodium -- in particular, in the form of sodium chloride, or table salt -- is well established. The...