Health Issues

Frequently Asked Questions about Anovulatory Androgen (AAE, or PCOS)

Frequently Asked Questions about Anovulatory Androgen (AAE, or PCOS) Are women with AAE estrogen deficient since they often have skipped periods or amenorrhea? You would think so, since many women with far-apart periods do have low estrogen levels. But surprisingly, estrogen levels are normal or high in women with AAE. Estrogen levels are at least…
Progesterone is NOT a Progestogen/Progestin— It’s Estrogen’s Unique Biological Partner

This article was originally published in our e-newsletter. by Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior, Scientific Director, Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research Current lay and medical women’s health literature considers progesterone, the human hormone made by women’s ovary in the same category as its synthetic, “knock-offs”. “Progestogens. . .include both endogenous progesterone and synthetic progestogens…
The ABCs of Osteoporosis Prevention for Men with Prostate Cancer on Testosterone-Lowering Treatment

The development of prostate cancer is sufficiently frightening without also worrying about a broken bone. Those men whose prostate tumours grow in response to male hormones (like testosterone [T]) are usually treated with “androgen depletion/ablation” meaning a medicine that lowers testosterone and/or decrease its actions. Why is this an osteoporosis risk? Because testosterone both normally…
Do Fibroids Cause Heavy Flow in Perimenopause?

In this article written for Ask4UFE, Dr. Jerilynn Prior weighs in to clear up some of the popular assumptions and misconceptions about uterine fibroids and their association with heavy menstrual flow during perimenopause.
How Can I Tell I Am in Perimenopause?

What’s going on? Why can’t I sleep normally, why am I so grumpy or suddenly anxious, why am I abruptly hot and sweaty? Could I be in perimenopause? CeMCOR believes that if: —our experiences have changed (see the Table of characteristic changes) —our hormone levels have changed (scientific evidence says that perimenopausal estrogen levels are…
Depo-Provera Use and Bone Health

New science decreases concerns even about use in teenagers by Drs. Azita Goshtasebi & Jerilynn C. Prior Many teenagers and women of all ages around the world use a three monthly injection of medroxyprogesterone for contraception. This long-acting and highly effective birth control method is officially called DepoProvera® but for simplicity here we will call…
Stopping Depo-Provera

Many women experience difficulty when they stop taking Depo-Provera contraception – everything from heavy flow to amenorrhea, sore breasts, mood swings and weight gain. In this article based on a re:Cycling blog post for the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research (SMCR), Laura Wershler interviews Dr. Jerilynn Prior about what causes these adverse effects and what…
Perimenopause Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Jerilynn C. Prior answers FAQ’s from Perimenopausal Women 1. My doctor has prescribed Clonidine 50mg and Prometrium 100mg daily to treat my hot flushes. Should I start both? In general, it is important to do ‘one at a time’ when trying out medications or any intervention for a symptom or a problem. If you…
The ABCs Of Osteoporosis Prevention For Menopausal Women

Menopause means graduation! One year has passed since the last menstrual period—perimenopause is over. Because of the hormonal changes of the first few years after menopause, bone renovation is more rapid and risks for bone loss are greater. Thus we must continue habits that will keep bones healthy for the rest of our lives. Bone…
The ABCs of Osteoporosis Prevention for Teenage Women

Bone Health: As Simple as ABC! The teen years are a time of major change occurring before and after the first menstrual period. During these years bone not only increases in size (with growth) but also becomes stronger to reach peak bone mass. This is the best time in your life to build strong bones…